I’m A Celebrity’s Tony Bellew admits he was ‘basically skint’ before signing up for the show as he struggled to pay his ‘heavy mortgage’: ‘I was living fight to fight’

• READ MORE: I’m A Celebrity 2023: Meet the campmates

Tony Bellew has candidly revealed that he was ‘basically skint’ and ‘living fight to fight’ before his debut on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!

The former boxer, 40, made his arrival in the jungle during Thursday’s episode, as the camp was split into two teams to tackle a series of challenges.

And after joining Nigel Farage, Marvin Humes, Nick Pickard, Josie Gibson and Grace Dent in Snake Rock, Tony reflected on his boxing career with his new campmates.

The sportman added that despite his success he was ‘so far away from financial security’ and continued fighting after his world title win in a bid to support his family.

Asked by Josie to share his favourite fight, Tony said: ‘Goodison Park when I won the world title. I mean, I achieved my lifelong dream that night. All my dreams came true. That was my main goal and focus in life.’

Insight: Tony Bellew has candidly revealed that he was ‘basically skint’ and ‘living fight to fight’ before his debut on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!

He then went onto share how he needed to ‘go out and work’ despite acheiving his dream, as he was still struggling to pay his bills.

‘We were in the kitchen and my missus said, ”That it now then, that’s you done?” he explained.

‘And I believe that a man should go out and provide for his family, probably everyone doesn’t agree with this or like it anymore… I go out and work and I try to give them the best I can… 

‘She said, ”What do you mean?” I said, ”We’re so far away from financial security.’ We were basically f***ing skint.”

Surprised Josie said: ‘What?’

Tony added: ‘I had a big, heavy, heavy mortgage. I shouldn’t say skint, but I was living on fight to fight.’

Tony added that after defending his world title he earned ‘OK money,’ but it was his fight with David Haye that earned ‘four times his whole career combined,’ and despite his money woes it ‘all worked out in the end.’ 

Speaking about his fights with David Haye, Tony said: ‘Me and David get on these days. I’ve fought David twice and beaten him twice, but he’s a far better fighter than me.’

It comes after Tony revealed he almost quit I’m A Celebrity after his grandmother tragically passed away last Sunday aged 97.

Struggles: The sportman said that despite his success he was ‘so far away from financial security’ and continued fighting after his world title win in a bid to support his family

Cashing in: Tony added that after defending his world title he earned ‘OK money,’ but it was his fight with David Haye that earned ‘four times his whole career combined’

The boxer is a late addition to this year’s series of the ITV show alongside Italian jockey Frankie Dettori.  

Signed only days before the show was due to air, the World Champion was close to pulling out because his grandmother died the day after he signed the contract. 

He said: ‘If I couldn’t have changed the funeral date I would have renegade. But I’m here now. She was in a home and told my mum: ‘I’ll be able to watch every night’. But I’m sure she’ll be watching wherever she is, whatever she’s doing.’  

Tony acknowledged he did have some regrets about making the journey to Australia so soon after his grandmother’s death.

He said: ‘I signed it the day before she passed away so there’s no going back now. I signed it and I honoured my agreement. In an ideal world, I would have left it but I signed the day before my nan passed away. I’m going to bury her on the 15th. 

‘I was going to renegade if I couldn’t have moved the burial. She was in a home and she told me mum: ‘I’ll be able to watch that every night.’ She’ll be watching from wherever she is or whatever she’s doing. 

‘She was a diamond of an old lady, she was wonderful. I come from a single-parent’s household. My dad left when I was 10. 

‘So when you come from where I come from your nan helps around because your mother has to work.’

‘So your nan was your second mum. So yeah, she was a lovely woman and had a heart of gold. She’ll be missed by all of us.’ 

Family: It comes after Tony revealed he almost quit I’m A Celebrity after his grandmother tragically passed away last Sunday aged 97

Meanwhile, Tony, known for his dead-pan demeanour said he is determined to make Kiosk Kev laugh – despite the show’s iconic ranger never flinching a muscle.

He said: ‘I’m doing this because my wife and kids told me to. I’m here once and when I’m gone my kids will have something to look back on to show their kids to say “Look what my silly dad’s done, gone to the Australia Jungle for two weeks.” 

‘They’ll have an absolute scream when they come to visit while I’m sitting here starving.’

Tony, who met his wife Rachael Roberts when he was just nine years old, told how being in the jungle will be the longest time he’s ever been away from her.

He said: ‘This is the longest I haven’t spoken to my wife for 22 years, since the day we’ve been together. But I’m used to being alone in the camp with the microwave and the iPad for weeks.

‘I’m sure I’ll get to know Nigel Farage and we’ll go from there. I’m from a different world from these people and I don’t class myself as a celebrity. I’m just good at punching someone in the face.

I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! continues on Friday at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX. 

I’m A Celebrity 2023: Meet the campmates

NIGEL FARAGE

Claim to fame: Former leader of the UK Independence Party  and leader of the Brexit Party.

Phobias: Nobody likes rats, snakes and I am dreading anything to do with heights.

Biggest misconception you want to dispel?: I have been demonised over the years and so it will be nice to show people I am not nasty. 

Role in camp: Lead on starting up plenty of campfire discussions. 

Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp?: A pint in the pub and the news. 

Best & worst attributes: I hope to cheer people up when they are down. Worst? I am impatient and I do snore. 

Dream camper: As a controversial political media figure, I never name names… But I am looking forward to meeting interesting people from all different fields 

DANIELLE HAROLD

Claim to fame: EastEnders actress.

Phobias: Rats. I hate them! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I can be a little ditzy at times but I am definitely not a ‘dumb blonde’. I want to show I can do the trials, challenges and get stuck in. 

Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on, help others if they are feeling low in camp. 

Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Snacking. I am a little muncher and I am going to miss my morning cup of tea, too! 

Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I will be good if people are really struggling. I am not, however, very good at being bored, nor am I a morning person either. 

Dream camper: Ed Sheeran. If he brings his guitar into camp, he can sing for us.

FRED SIRIEIX

Claim to fame: First Dates star.

Phobias: I am scared of everything. I am dying to find out how vile the food will be! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I don’t think there is anything but I am looking forward to learning more about myself during my time in the camp. 

Role in camp: I will definitely muck in with all the jobs. I don’t mind cooking or cleaning the toilets. 

Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My bed. It’s super comfy. I will also miss a cup of coffee in the morning. 

Best & worst attributes: I like to have fun but I do snore and I am impatient! 

Dream camper: It’s going to be nice to meet everyone but I’d love to see Dolly Parton, The Rock or Snoop Dog in there.

NELLA ROSE

Claim to fame: YouTuber and Catfish UK star. 

Phobias: I am fearful of everything! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle? I am a pretty open book. 

Role in camp: Keep the morale and humour high.

Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My phone… I am always on it! 

Dream camper: Alison Hammond or Adele. 

NICK PICKARD

Claim to fame: Hollyoaks star. 

Phobias: I am a bit scared of the dark. When you go to the House of Horrors at Halloween and things jump out at you, I am not very good when I can’t see! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: It will be nice to go in as me and not as my Hollyoaks character. 

Role in camp: Grafter or chef, I am quite good at cooking. But I’ve never cooked on a fire before. Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp: Football and my creature comforts. 

Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am a nice person and a good team player. I am not lazy but I do have a few bad habits like picking my nose. My girlfriend has been trying to train me to stop! 

Dream camper: Sir Alex Ferguson or Neil Warnock. 

FRANKIE DETTORI

Claim to fame: Champion Jockey

Phobias: I am not sure as I don’t walk across rooftop planks in the middle of the day nor do I have any snakes or rats in the house!

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: None. I’ve lived in the public domain for as long as I can remember so I’d hope everyone knows me well.

Role in camp: To have fun with everyone, I am a happy-go- lucky person.

Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? Travelling. I have spent my whole life at airports and I’ve got to like it!

Best & worst attributes: I am outgoing and I am a fighter. Worst? I can’t sit still and I am impatient.

Dream camper: Robbie Williams would be fun.

JAMIE LYNN SPEARS

Claim to fame: Zoey 101 and Sweet Magnolias star.

 Phobias: I am scared of everything.

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I think this is a nice chance to show who I really am.

Role in camp: Hopefully I will be the one who can support everyone. 

Aside from family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? A normal bathroom, air conditioning and my bed. 

Best & worst attributes: I think my best quality is it takes a lot to hurt my feelings; but I am impatient and my family would say I get in a bad mood a lot. 

Dream camper: Nicole Kidman, she is my favourite actress in the whole wide world, or Reece Witherspoon.

SAM THOMPSON

Claim to fame: Made In Chelsea star and radio presenter. 

Phobias: I am not a creepy crawly guy and I hate anyone or anything touching my neck. 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: Since the age of 21, I’ve spent my whole life on TV and so I feel whether people have a good or bad opinion of me, it’s probably warranted!

Role in camp: I’m a ‘yes’ man so cooking, cleaning I will do whatever they want me to do. 

Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: I know this sounds lame but gaming. 

Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am the court jester and I don’t take things too seriously, so if anyone is having a bad day I would like to put a smile on their face. Worst? I am quite forgetful and I am bad at focusing on things. 

Dream camper: Stephen Fry. I think I would self-combust if he was going in the jungle! 

JOSIE GIBSON

Claim to fame: This Morning presenter.

Phobias: Insects and I freeze every time I see a spider and I am not sure what I am going to do if I am in a trial with them! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I would like people to know I am very clever at knowing useless information! 

Role in camp: Mum. I am very motherly and I also love chatting to people. 

Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Getting up to blow dry my hair and putting a bit of make-up on! 

Best & worst attributes: I am an optimist and I love meeting people from all walks of life. Worst? I can be quite nosey and I am worried about my temper if I am too hungry. 

Dream camper: Dawn French, I love her. 

MARVIN HUMES

Claim to fame: JLS star.

Phobias: Heights. I have pulled out of a skydive with JLS in the past because I was too scared! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: To show I am not just a member of a boy band. It will be nice for people to learn more about me. 

Role in camp: I’d like to think I will be a shoulder to cry on and a mediator. 

Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: My fantasy football app! I am obsessed with it! Four weeks without music is a long time, too. 

Best & worst attributes: I’ve got three children under the age of ten and you definitely need a lot of patience for that! Worst? Rochelle would probably say I get ‘hangry’ if I don’t have enough food. 

Dream camper: Paddy McGuinness – I’ve done Soccer Aid with him before and I know he’s funny, he gets stuck in and he is hands on.

GRACE DENT

Claim to fame: MasterChef star and food critic. 

Phobias: Horrible people. 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: People think I am quite forthright and scary but I don’t think I am scary! Hopefully people will see this. 

Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on and I am a practical cook so I can help out. 

Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My three cats and my make-up bag. I love a bit of glamour. 

Best & worst attributes: I would like to think I am funny! My worst quality is lack of sleep. I like my sleep. 

Dream camper: Queen Camilla. She would be very practical. And Madonna – she could perform tracks from her Greatest Hits tour! 

TONY BELLEW

Claim to fame: Former champion boxer

Phobias: Like most normal people, I am scared of almost everything.

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: People will portray me as something I am not because of the profession I have had. I am just a normal person.

Role in camp: I’d like to think I am domesticated so hopefully I can help out.

Best & worst attributes: I do get hangry…who doesn’t! But I am easy going and I get on with everyone.

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