Craig Charles is making a highly anticipated return to the I'm A Celebrity jungle for a special All Stars series, more than a decade after his initial participation was tragically cut short by devastating family news. The actor and presenter, best known for roles in Red Dwarf and Coronation Street, joins other iconic contestants in South Africa for what ITV promises will be an epic series featuring extreme trials.
Why Craig Charles Left I'm A Celebrity in 2015
Craig Charles first entered the I'm A Celebrity camp in 2014, but his experience lasted only four days before he received heartbreaking news. Show doctors and producers informed him that his brother, Dean Charles, had suffered a fatal heart attack at age 52. Charles immediately left Australia to return home, robbed of the full jungle experience.
Years later, Charles revealed the additional emotional weight of this tragedy. He explained to The Big Issue that he and his brother had experienced a family falling out and hadn't spoken for several years. Dean had attempted to contact Craig just before he entered the jungle, but Craig decided to postpone reconciliation until after the show, planning to reunite at Christmas. Tragically, Dean passed away while Craig was in Australia.
"The doctor said: 'I've got some terrible news to tell you, Craig. Your brother Dean has passed away.' So I had to get on a plane straight away," Charles recalled. "He was so far away. And it took so long to get back. I'd have loved to have had a conversation with him. I'd have loved to have made up."
New Heartache Ahead of All Stars Return
As Craig Charles prepares for his jungle comeback in the All Stars series filmed last year, he has faced additional family tragedy. Just days before the show's premiere, Charles announced on Instagram that his mother-in-law, Anna Fleming, had passed away. He shared a heartfelt tribute describing her as "one of the most significant women in my entire life" and "one of the kindest, wisest and intelligent people I've ever had the pleasure to know."
Career Reflections and Health Battles
The personal tragedies have profoundly influenced Charles' career decisions. He explained that his brother's death prompted him to leave his long-running role as taxi driver Lloyd Mullaney on Coronation Street after ten years. "If I died suddenly, would I be happy with what I'd achieved? The honest answer was no," Charles told OK Magazine. "So I promised myself I'd have new adventures. I wouldn't have been able to do half the stuff I've done if I'd stayed in Coronation Street."
Charles has also been open about his own health struggles. In 2023, he revealed he has had stents fitted since suffering a heart attack several years earlier. He explained to the Liverpool Echo that he suffers from the same genetic heart condition that claimed his brother's life - narrowing of the arteries leading to the heart. Despite initially ignoring medical advice to get checked after his brother's death, Charles eventually experienced the same symptoms but has since recovered with renewed energy and busy schedule.
All Stars Lineup and Broadcast Details
The I'm A Celebrity All Stars series features an impressive lineup of returning celebrities including soap legend Beverley Callard, Olympic champion Mo Farah, reality star Gemma Collins, and previous jungle winners Harry Redknapp and Scarlett Moffatt. Ant and Dec return as hosts for the special series filmed in South Africa.
The show launches tonight at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX, airing every weeknight for three weeks. The live grand final is scheduled for Friday, April 24, 2026, where one celebrity will be crowned king or queen of the jungle once again.
