Melvin Odoom has revealed he was close to quitting I’m A Celebrity… days before he was the fourth contestant to be voted off after the ‘hardest night’ of his 18 days.
Viewers saw the BBC Radio 1 presenter, 44, break down in tears after he was forced to sleep in the Bush Telegraph hut after his sleeping bag was drenched in torrential rain during the night.
He told : ‘I thought about quitting because I found it difficult and I thought the finish line seemed quite far away at the time but no, because I didn’t want to let my family down.
‘I was the first out of Strictly, and I was aware of that in my head because I let people down when I did that.’
Much of Melvin’s ordeal was not shown on camera but now he has revealed what happened that night, which saw him rescued by camp security after calling for help in the middle of the night.
He told : ‘I woke up one night and I was literally just covered like I was drenched. I had my mic on and I was like, ‘Guys, I’m wet, help’ and those guys were on it.
Melvin Odoom, 44, has revealed he was close to quitting I’m A Celebrity … days before he was the fourth contestant to be voted off after the ‘hardest night’ of his 18 days
Viewers saw the BBC Radio 1 presenter break down in tears after he was forced to sleep in the Bush Telegraph hut after his sleeping bag was drenched in torrential rain during the night
He told : ‘I thought about quitting because I found it difficult and I thought the finish line seemed quite far away at the time but no, because I didn’t want to let my family down’
‘Suddenly out of the bushes came this security guard fully covered, like a commando, with a light on his head and he was like, ‘Mel, you ok? Come with me.’
‘He would have carried me if I asked him to. But he took me out of the hammock and told me to go to Bush Telegraph.
‘There was this amazing guy Chris who asked me if I was ok and I was like, ‘No I’m cold and I can’t sleep’.’
The ITV crew gave him some dry clothing and put Melvin in two sleeping bags before asking him if he wanted to stay and left him sleeping in the hut.
This was not shown during the show, but Melvin was seen emerging from the hut and breaking down, he said: ‘I cry at romcoms but I felt embarrassed because you’ve got people like Coleen, who didn’t shed a tear and she’s got little ones, and I found it hard being in that environment and feeling that way.’
Detailing how all of his campmates responded, Melvin revealed that Maura Higgins, 33, gave him a tissue, Barry McGuigan, 63, gave him a fatherly hug, Danny Jones, 38, made Melvin’s bed and Oti Mabuse, 34, sat with him.
Commenting on his lack of airtime, Melvin said: ‘I thought I was quite quiet in camp because there were so many big characters and entertaining people so I just assumed they would be so big on the show.
‘Sometimes I thought I was really quiet so I didn’t think I would be that big in the show anyway.’
The ITV crew gave him some dry clothing and put Melvin in two sleeping bags before asking him if he wanted to stay and left him sleeping in the hut
Much of Melvin’s ordeal was not shown on camera but now he has revealed what happened that night, which saw him rescued by camp security after calling for help in the middle of the night
Commenting on his lack of airtime, Melvin said: ‘I thought I was quite quiet in camp because there were so many big characters and entertaining people so I just assumed they would be so big on the show.’
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I'm A Celeb's Melvin Odoom reveals secret fear hidden from screens that leaves campmates 'worried'
But one element that did get Melvin airtime was his display of love for the Countdown star Carol Vorderman, 63, after his luxury item was a pillow with her face on it.
The radio presenter revealed he was going to message the television presenter on Instagram asking for a date after I’m A Celeb contestants and fans alike have shared their desire for the two of them to be together.
‘I think she’s hot, I think Carol Vorderman is fire. There was pressure when Tulisa and Oti were trying to get me to ask her out and now it feels like the whole world is trying to manufacture the date to happen.’
When asked if he partly went on the ITV show to get Carol’s attention, he said: ‘Maybe, maybe, I knew she was a fan of the show, she’s been on it twice, maybe it would be something she sees.
‘I think it’s worth messaging her and seeing what her thoughts are on a date, I’m going to have a lot of friends help me out on that message.’
I’M A CELEBRITY 2024: MEET THE ALL STAR LINE UP
OTI MABUSE
Oti Mabuse has already two Strictly glitterballs under her belt
AGE: 34
OCCUPATION: Professional dancer
FAMOUS FOR: Oti is best known for being a professional dancer on the British television series Strictly Come Dancing, which she won in 2019 and 2020.
DANNY JONES
Danny Jones is one of the bookies’ favourites to win this year’s I’m A Celeb
AGE: 38
OCCUPATION: McFly singer
FAMOUS FOR: Danny is one of the lead vocalists and the lead guitarist for pop-rock band McFly.
He is also a coach on The Voice UK.
BARRY MCGUIGAN
Former boxer Barry McGuigan is heading into the jungle
AGE: 63
OCCUPATION: Retired professional boxer
FAMOUS FOR: Barry was nicknamed The Clones Cyclone and held the WBA and lineal featherweight titles from 1985 to 1986.
GK BARRY
GK Barry is a TikTok star who recently joined the ITV family on Loose Women
AGE: 25
OCCUPATION: TikTok star
FAMOUS FOR: Grace is known for her comedic commentary on culture, lifestyle, and fashion. She has over 3.6 million followers and recently joined the Loose Women panel.
DEAN MCCULLOUGH
ITV bosses are hoping Dean McCullough will ruffle feathers in the camp
AGE: 32
OCCUPATION: Radio 1 DJ
FAMOUS FOR: Radio 1 DJ Dean has been signed by I’m A Celeb bosses, in the hope that he will ruffle feathers with his outspoken views.
Earlier this year it was announced Dean would be taking over the BBC Radio 1 Early Breakfast Show, after previously fronting the afternoon slot.
JANE MOORE
Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women
AGE: 62
OCCUPATION: Journalist
FAMOUS FOR: Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women between 1999 and 2002.
She returned as a regular panellist from 2013 onwards.
Jane takes on the challenge following her high-profile split from husband of 20 years, Showbiz agent, Gary Farrow.
MELVIN ODOOM
Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021
AGE: 44
OCCUPATION: DJ and TV presenter
FAMOUS FOR: His work on radio. Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021, but turned down the offer at the last minute.
He also had a primetime stint on Strictly back in 2016.
COLEEN ROONEY
Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history
AGE: 38
OCCUPATION: WAG
FAMOUS FOR: Wagatha Christie case against arch rival Rebekah Vardy.
Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history, exceeding Nigel Farage’s £1.5million from last year.
ALAN HALSALL
Alan Halsall is best known for his role as Tyrone Dobbs on Coronation Street
AGE: 42
OCCUPATION: Actor
FAMOUS FOR: Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall was forced to withdraw from I’m A Celeb last year, after undergoing ACL Reconstruction surgery.
Bosses have now convinced the actor to sign up again, and no doubt he will draw in a huge fanbase thanks to his long-running role as Tyrone Dobbs on the soap.
TULISA
Tulisa is making her career comeback after reuniting with N-Dubz last year
AGE: 36
OCCUPATION: Singer and former X Factor judge
FAMOUS FOR: Tulisa reunited with N-Dubz last year for a tour after first finding fame with the band in 2007.
In 2011, she became a judge on The X Factor and went on to launch her debut solo album, The Female Boss.
She released her fourth album with N-Dubz last year.
REVEREND RICHARD COLES
Richard is an English writer, radio presenter and Church of England priest
AGE: 62
OCCUPATION: Writer, broadcaster and priest
FAMOUS FOR: Richard is an English writer, radio presenter and Church of England priest.
He first came to prominence as the multi-instrumentalist who partnered Jimmy Somerville in the 1980s band the Communards.
MAURA HIGGINS
Maura is best known for her stint on Love Island UK in 2019
AGE: 33
OCCUPATION: TV Personality
FAMOUS FOR: Maura is an Irish television personality, television presenter and model.
She rose to prominence in 2019, when she was a finalist on the fifth series of ITV2 reality series Love Island.