Ashley Roberts' Past Romance with Dec Donnelly Kept Off I'm A Celebrity South Africa
Ashley Roberts, the pop star currently appearing on I'm A Celebrity...South Africa, was reportedly reassured by show bosses that her supposed former romance with host Dec Donnelly would not be discussed on screen. This move aimed to ensure a smooth and drama-free return for the 44-year-old Pussycat Dolls star to the Ant and Dec-fronted ITV series, more than a decade after her initial stint on the main version of the show.
Behind-the-Scenes Assurances and Historical Context
According to sources, those behind-the-scenes on the spin-off series made it clear to Ashley that any mention of her brief relationship with Dec, which allegedly began after they met during her 2012 appearance in the Australian jungle, would be strictly off-limits. A source stated, "As with any campmate, relevant stories are discussed in preliminary chats with the celeb and the team. Ashley would’ve been assured anything relating to her link with Dec will be totally off the table. And not alluded to in any jokes or references."
Dec, now 50 and married to manager Ali Astall since 2015, is thought to have fallen for Ashley during her original jungle adventure. In 2013, Ashley briefly commented on their fling, saying, "We’re trying to keep it out of the public eye. We’re just getting to know each other. We’re having fun, but I’m single. I love both those guys." However, she never officially confirmed the relationship, and it faded shortly before Dec's public announcement of his relationship with Ali.
Personal Discussions and Campmate Interactions
While the Dec romance was off the table, Ashley has been open about other personal matters with her campmates. In a candid conversation, when asked by Sinitta if she had children, Ashley replied, "I don’t have any babies, no babies. It is just not top of the list. I think I have been so driven and travelling, I don’t feel a strong passion." Sinitta, who adopted two children in 2007, responded with advice, while former Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt, a mother-of-one, added her perspective in the Bush Telegraph, emphasizing that everyone should live their best lives, whether they choose parenthood or not.
Scarlett further shared her own journey, noting she tried for four years to conceive her child Jude and succeeded just before heading to a fertility clinic. She reflected on the unpredictability of family planning, highlighting that it "sometimes doesn’t work out that way." This exchange underscored the show's blend of light entertainment and deeper personal revelations, even as producers carefully managed sensitive topics like Ashley's past with Dec.
