From Antrim to the the Australian jungle, NI DJ Dean McCullough has already made an early impression on the launch of year’s I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!
The BBC Radio 1 presenter made a dramatic entrance as one of 10 celebrities who began their stint in the Australian bush on Sunday night, as he polished off one of the show’s iconic gruesome drinks and proceeded to skydive down to a beach.
McCullough’s voice is probably more well known to viewers than his face, as he wakes up the nation each morning, having also previously presented on Gaydio radio.
The 32 year old grew up in Newtownabbey and attended Glengormley High School before moving to England after obtaining a scholarship for Laine Theatre Arts.
In May 2018, McCullough began presenting in the afternoon with Emma Goswell on Gaydio.
On the show the pair covered current LGBTQ+ issues.
He first appeared on Radio 1 when he filled in for Clara Amfo for two days in 2020, and started a permanent slot on the station in September 2021.
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In July 2022, he and Vicky Hawkesworth replaced Scott Mills and Chris Stark as co-hosts of Radio 1’s afternoon show from Salford, making it the first Radio 1 weekday show to be broadcast from outside London.
While the DJ undoubtedly has an in depth musical knowledge, he infamously once apologised after not recognising legendary Foo Fighters front man Dave Grohl during a conversation on his afternoon show back in 2023.
Grohl is an 18-time Grammy award winner, having led Foo Fighters since 1995. The band has released over 10 studio albums, with five records achieving UK number 1.
He was previously the drummer in one of the world’s most famous rock bands, Nirvana alongside Kurt Cobain.
After the gaffe occurred while talking with former One Direction star Niall Horan, the DJ released a grovelling ‘apology’ on Twitter, writing: “Guys, I’d like to apologise to everyone for not knowing who David Grohl from the Foo Fighters was on Radio 1 today.
“I was busy dancing to Britney when he was rocking out with Nirvana. He’s a cool guy, I’ll do better next time. Dean x.”
I’m A Celebrity.. Get Me Out Of Here! isn’t McCullough first TV appearance either, as he also appeared on Young Free and Single: Live and Big Brother: Late & Live.
Speaking about entering the jungle, McCullough has said he is terrified of “everything”, so much so that he had to turn off the first episode of last year’s season because of the cockroaches.
However, when it comes to the Bushtucker Trials, he said he will “give everything a go”.
“I want to try and get some stars for everyone”, he said. “I have travelled the world, I have backpacked, taught in orphanages and I have gone through the mill several times.
“But I am 32 now and it’s time to start a new chapter and learn a bit more about who I am. A three-week therapy session is the perfect way to describe this!”
He is eager to build friendships with his fellow campmates – as shown in the first episode when he choose to team up with one of the biggest names in this year’s line up, Coleen Rooney.
“I do hope to bring lots of good vibes to the camp. Every camp needs someone to bring everyone together when the mood is low, and I want to be the person who makes sure everyone is OK – or the person who makes up a dance routine in camp,” he added before entering the jungle.
“Will I encourage everyone to sing in the camp? Absolutely!”
He has said he is also happy to share “deep and meaningful” tales from his own life with his campmates, and when asked how it would feel to win the programme, he said: “Oh, come on. I can’t think that far ahead.
“I am here for a good time – not a long time. But I am from Northern Ireland and I am doing this for my country. Now, as it approaches, I’m really scared, but I am really determined to give everything a go.”
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News Catch Up: Monday 18th November