Radio 1 DJ Melvin Odoom has revealed how he nearly walked out of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! after a dramatic night that saw him being rescued by security staff during a storm.
The 44-year-old star opened up about the harrowing experience that pushed him to the brink of quitting the ITV show whilst living in the Australian outback.
In a recent interview, Odoom described how he had to be saved by a security guard who “came out like a commando” after he woke up drenched and hungry in the middle of the night.
The incident, which was not aired on television, left the presenter in such distress that he required support from nearly all his fellow campmates who took turns comforting him.
“I found it difficult, and I thought the finish line seemed quite far away,” Odoom admitted when asked if he had contemplated leaving the show.
Describing the distressing incident, Odoom explained to The Mirror: “I had my mic on, and I was like, ‘guys, I want help.’ This guy came out like a commando…he had a light on, and he’s like ‘Melvin are you okay, come with me.'”
The crisis unfolded after the DJ found himself soaked through and struggling with hunger during a nighttime storm.
While viewers saw Odoom break down in tears with fellow contestant Oti Mabuse, he revealed the situation was actually more severe than what was shown on television.
Melvin Odoom left ITV I’m A Celebrity on Tuesday
PA
The emotional toll left him feeling embarrassed compared to his campmates.
“You’ve got people like Oti and Alan who are really strong, and Coleen, who I don’t think she shed a tear once during the time when I was there,” he said.
“And I was like, ‘How can I sit here crying when these guys have got little babies at home and they’re just holding it together?'”
The campmates rallied around Odoom during his difficult moment, offering various forms of support and comfort.
Danny Jones stepped in to help with his bed, while Maura Higgins provided tissues.
A particularly emotional moment occurred with Oti Mabuse. “When Oti came she just reminded me of family and she held my hand and I started bawling. I thought that was the worst thing ever. I was quite embarrassed,” Odoom recalled.
Boxing legend Barry McGuigan offered paternal comfort that deeply touched the DJ.
“When he held my head, I was just like, ‘this guy loves me.’ He helped me like a father. I thought these lot love me and that’s what got me through the whole thing,” he said.
Melvin Odoom revealed he suffered a harrowing night on I’m A Celebrity
ITV
The camaraderie proved crucial to his survival in the show. “The best thing about the camp was the people. If it wasn’t for them, I feel like I would have wanted to leave a lot sooner,” Odoom admitted.
Odoom revealed his decision to stay was heavily influenced by his previous experience on Strictly Come Dancing.
“I didn’t want to let my family down. And the most similar process to this that I’ve ever done in my life was Strictly and I was the first person out, and I was aware of that in my head,” he explained.
Despite his struggles, the presenter found motivation in avoiding another early exit from a major television show.
He also shared his hopes that his time in the jungle might lead to a dream date with Carol Vorderman, whom he frequently mentioned during the show.
“I knew she was a fan of the show, and she’s been on it, so it might be something she sees,” he said.
When asked about potentially meeting Vorderman at the Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards, he responded enthusiastically: “I mean, I enjoy any kind of party, I could DJ there. Carol Vorderman is such a woman. She’s so intelligent, she can fly helicopters. I just think she’s like the coolest person ever.”
Upon exiting the jungle, Odoom was greeted by his sister Yonah on the bridge, who provided much-needed reassurance about his time in camp.
“When I saw my sister, I said, ‘was everything okay?’ And she’s like, ‘bro you did so well,'” he recalled.
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Odoom was comforted by Oti Mabuse during a difficult night in camp
ITV
The reunion with his sister helped calm his concerns about public perception. “And that settled me, because you’ve got no idea what people think of you,” he explained.
While Oti Mabuse had become like a sister figure in camp, Odoom emphasised the unique comfort his real sister provided.
“Oti was my sister in there, but I trust my real sister. She just knows me 100 per cent, so when she said it, I could relax,” he said.
His final words reflected relief about his jungle journey: “I’ve not been cancelled yet.”