Craig Charles Returns to I'm A Celebrity with Emotional Mission
Craig Charles has opened up about his deeply personal reasons for returning to I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, revealing that he aims to make his late brother proud after a tragic exit from the show in 2014. The actor and radio DJ, now 61, was forced to leave the Australian jungle after just four days when he learned his brother Dean had passed away, an event that profoundly reshaped his perspective on life.
A Life-Altering Jungle Exit
Charles last appeared on the reality show in 2014, but his participation was cut short by devastating news. He was informed that his 52-year-old brother Dean had died, a loss made more painful by the fact that the pair had not spoken for several years due to a family dispute. Reflecting on that time, Charles said, "The death of my brother, Dean, changed my life the last time I was on I'm A Celebrity. I was 50 at the time, my brother was 52, I had been in Corrie for ten years and I came in to do the jungle, then Dean passed away."
This experience led him to re-evaluate his life and career. He admitted feeling stuck in a rut after a decade on Coronation Street, and the abrupt end to his jungle adventure left him with lingering questions. "It made me re-evaluate things. I just thought if that had happened to me, would I be happy with what I'd achieved? I came up with the answer and it was 'no'," Charles explained. He added that the years following his exit were filled with "What ifs?" but now feels ready to put those doubts to rest.
Overcoming Grief and Seizing a Second Chance
For years after leaving the show, Charles found it difficult to watch I'm A Celebrity, as it brought back painful memories of loss and missed opportunities. "In the first few years I couldn't watch the show. It made me sad and it opened a world of loss," he shared. However, over time, the grief has lessened, allowing him to view the programme again without the same emotional weight.
When the opportunity arose to join the All Stars series in South Africa, Charles saw it as a chance for closure and redemption. Normally, celebrities are not permitted to return to the show, but the legends format provided a unique opening. "When this came round, it was at the right time. I feel strong and confident enough to face it again and have a laugh!" he said.
A Tribute to His Brother
Charles revealed that his brother Dean had expressed confidence in his jungle abilities before his death. "I found out when I got back for the funeral that after the first episode, he turned to his wife and said: 'he is going to win that'. But sadly, Dean never woke up and so hopefully I will make him proud," Charles recounted, nodding when asked if he hopes to honour his brother's memory.
In a 2020 interview with the Big Issue, Charles expressed regret over not reconciling with Dean before entering the jungle in 2014. "If I could have one last conversation with anyone it would be my brother Dean," he said, explaining that Dean had tried to contact him just before the show. The family falling out meant they hadn't spoken in years, and Charles had planned to reconnect after the jungle, but Dean's death prevented that.
Facing New Challenges and Personal Growth
Despite his brief initial stint, Charles believes he learned valuable lessons about his adaptability. "Although not in there for a long time, Craig insists he learned he was 'quite adaptable and can fit into most situations'," the article notes. However, returning a decade older presents new hurdles. He joked about his declining fitness and increased fears, saying, "My fitness has fallen off a cliff and the older I get, the more scared I get of things. I was fearless then and now I am scared of heights. I also don't like creepy crawlies."
Nevertheless, Charles is excited to embrace the adventure in South Africa, describing it as a "beautiful and amazing country" and expressing eagerness to get started. He entered camp as a late entry alongside Gemma Collins, who also left early during their first jungle experience. Charles humorously added that he doesn't want to "come across as a decrepit old fart" and is not expecting to win, quipping, "If I do, then I will think the world has gone mad!"
Before departing, his two daughters offered light-hearted advice, telling him to "be anyone but you." As he steps back into the jungle, Charles carries not only the hope of making his brother proud but also a renewed sense of purpose and resilience forged through years of reflection and healing.
