Heartbreaking reason I’m A Celeb star Tony Bellew decided to enter jungle

At long last, it’s finally the I’m A Celeb final tonight and fans all over are tuning in to see who will be crowned the winner.

While we’re all eagerly awaiting the results, let’s take a look back at one of the finalists, Tony, and the heartbreaking reason he decided to enter jungle in the first place.

During Friday’s episode (8 December), the celebrities had an emotional surprise reunion with their nearest and dearest where the professional boxer finally saw his wife Rachael – which he said would ‘stick with me more than any moment I’ve had in the jungle’.

However, fan-favourite Tony almost didn’t end up taking his place as one of the campmates this year after suffering a tragic loss in his family.

Rachael – who shares three boys with the boxer – revealed the heartbreaking reason why Tony ultimately decided to join.

His beloved grandmother Rose, who’d acted like a ‘second mum’ to him, had died aged 97 – the day after he’d agreed to take part in the show.

Sam Thompson, Tony Bellew and Nigel Farage are the final three fighting it out to be King of the Jungle. Credit: ITV

Rachael, who calls her husband Ant, said that he still decided to enter the jungle so he could honour his late grandmother.

Opening up about her husband’s loss, Rachael told The Mirror: “Rose would be so, so proud of Ant.

“She passed away a few days before he went in so that was obviously very difficult for him.

“She was like a second mum to Ant – he absolutely idolised her. He called her the ‘boss of the family’. He is doing this for her and I know he will be thinking of her every day while he’s in there.”

Tony also previously explained: “I signed the day before she passed away, so there was no going back then.

“If I sign something, I honour my agreement.

Bellew’s grandmother Rose, who acted like a ‘second mum’ to him, died aged 97. Credit: Instagram/@tonybellew

“In an ideal world I would have left it but I had signed. I was coming, so I am here. But I am going back to bury her on the 15th.

“I was going to renegade if I couldn’t move the burial date. I can bury her now when I get back.”

The final episode of I’m a Celeb is currently on tonight (10 December) from 9pm to 10.30pm on ITV1 or on demand on ITVX.

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677