Former NRL and Bachelor star Luke Bateman has made a raw and emotional confession about his severe gambling addiction, revealing it cost him a staggering $500,000 during his playing career and drove him to the brink of suicide. The 30-year-old shared his story just days before entering the jungle for the Australian version of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!.
A Descent into Darkness
Speaking candidly to News Corp, Bateman described the horrific depths of his addiction. "It was horrible," he admitted. "I was literally at the point of suicide. I was at the end of the tracks." He revealed that his lowest point led him to believe that ending his life would also stop the pain he was inflicting on his family. "I was like, well I can end my own pain and I can also end all the pain that I’m causing my loved ones," Bateman said. "I was in a very, very dark place."
The ex-rugby league player, who once earned around $400,000 per season, said his addiction became so destructive he could barely afford groceries and was forced to ask his mother for help with his mortgage. His heartbreak over the anguish caused to his family ultimately became his turning point. "I knew that even though I was causing them pain, I knew that they would be in more pain without me. It was probably more so for them," he explained, detailing his decision to finally seek help.
Jungle Journey for Authentic Connection
Bateman's announcement as the first confirmed contestant for the new season of I'm A Celebrity is seen by producers as a strategic move to add emotional depth to the entertainment show. Sources close to the Channel Ten production told the Daily Mail that casting was deeply moved by Bateman's unvarnished honesty during discussions.
"They've been looking for someone willing to really go there," a casting insider claimed. "Luke didn't hide anything. He was open from the start... He's lived it. He's not preaching. He's not performing. He's speaking from experience." The source added that Bateman's storyline is framed around accountability, recovery, and resilience—a classic redemption arc the show favours, rather than mere shock value.
The Pressure Cooker of Reality TV
Insiders suggest Bateman's vulnerability, not his existing profile from sport and reality TV, secured his place. The jungle environment, described as a "pressure cooker," is designed to break down facades, leading to the authentic campfire confessions viewers connect with. "When you're hungry, exhausted and emotional, you can't fake it," the source stated, predicting audiences will relate strongly to Bateman's authenticity.
Channel Ten is reportedly keen to explore Bateman's battle as it touches on a significant and often stigmatised national issue in Australia. "Luke's story isn't just entertainment. It's something that's going to hit people right in the heart," the insider concluded.
I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! premieres on Sunday at 7pm on Channel 10.
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