Radio 1 presenter Melvin Odoom has revealed he is concerned about becoming the I’m A Celeb camp “enemy” as he shares his thoughts ahead of entering the jungle.
Among this anxiety, the 44-year-old has been candid about his number of fears as he prepares to go Down Under.
Odoom hosts the afternoon slot on BBC Radio 1 alongside longtime co-presenters Richard Haywood-Williams and Charlie Hedges.
He will head to Australia with Ant and Dec the new series alongside the former Strictly pro Oti Mabuse, former boxer Barry McGuigan, GK Barry, Jane Moore, Alan Halsall, Dean McCullough, Tulisa Contostavlos and Danny Jones.
Ahead of the show’s start, Odoom has admitted he is “scared of everything” but has a particular phobia of “insects and creepy crawlies”.
The 44-year-old explained to ITV that he has been trying to think about the positives of meeting new “cool and talented” people – not: “lying in a coffin with creepy crawlies on my face, as I know that will freak me out”.
Odoom with Radio 1 co-hosts Richard Haywood-Williams and Charlie Hedges
PA
However, Odoom has revealed his “biggest fear” is his snoring which he worries will annoy the other contestants.
He explains: “I have been trying to train myself, as messing with people’s sleep is a big deal. I might be the camp’s enemy if my snoring comes out. It’s loud!”
Another anxiety is his own irritability at the lack of food, admitting: “If I haven’t eaten enough – I am Moody Melvin!”
The Radio 1 star says he will “do his best” to complete all his Trials, no matter how gruesome, to keep himself fed.
Odoom will miss his radio “family” while in the jungle
PA
On top of his worries about the show itself, Odoom has said leaving behind friends and family will be especially tough.
“I started tearing up thinking about my sister and being far away from her. She is the best person in the world. I really hope there is a character in the camp who is like my sister,” the radio host explained.
Odoom explained that missing his “beloved” Radio 1 show and his co-hosts, who he considers family, will be “tough”.
However, the 44-year-old is comforted by the knowledge his radio family will be supporting him back home.
“Of course they will encourage the listeners to vote for me! We are all each other’s cheerleaders, and we all support each other,” he glowed.
While Down Under, Odoom hopes to emulate some of his friends who have previously competed in I’m a Celebrity.
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“Over the years, loads of my mates have done it – Joel Dommett who I love to bits, Roman Kemp, Jordan North and I am very close to Marvin Humes,” he explains.
Former JLS star Humes has been giving Odoom advice on “what to expect” from his own jungle adventure.
More than that however, Odoom is hoping to emulate Humes’ sculpted physique which grabbed attention in the camp showers.
The presenter laughs: “I want to look like Marvin did last year when he looked sick in the shower!”