Josie Gibson reveals her sadness at leaving son Reggie, five, to star on I’m A Celeb but says she signed up to ‘better their lives’ amid six-figure fee

• Meet the 2023 I’m A Celeb campmates 
• Who is Josie Gibson 

For any mother, leaving a child at home to go to work is a heart-wrenching decision.

But for I’m A Celeb contestant Josie Gibson, taking part on the ITV reality programme means being away from her five-year-old son Reggie for at least three weeks.

The This Morning presenter – a single mum – has revealed her sadness at jetting off to Australia where she is being paid a six-figure sum to appear on the show while her only child stays at home.

Ms Gibson, 38, told the Mail of how she prepared to leave him: ‘I’ve done him a lot of videos before I left and also I’ve explained everything that I possibly can to him. 

‘And I’ve been trying to explain that, since I signed up. So, each morning we’ve been waking up and he says ‘mummy are we going to Australia now?’ 

Sad: For I’m A Celeb contestant Josie Gibson, taking part on the ITV reality programme means being away from her five-year-old son Reggie for at least three weeks

Love: The This Morning presenter – a single mum – has revealed her sadness at jetting off to Australia where she is being paid a six-figure sum to appear on the show while her only child stays at home

‘And I go ‘not yet Reg’ and he’s going ‘when are we going into the jungle?’

‘So none of it has come as shock to him, he’s got his head around it.

‘It is going to be weird but there will be plenty of cuddles when I come out and at the end of the day this will better me and Reg and it’s all going to be good.

‘He’s going to be experiencing Australia while I’m going to be tucking down on mealworms.’

Reggie, who is used to sleeping with his mother every night, will travel Down Under after a couple of weeks into the show when friends and family are allowed to join but he will not be allowed to see her until she officially leaves.

Ms Gibson, who has turned down appearances in other primetime shows, said the ability for her son to travel out was ‘a big reason I agreed to do it because obviously to leave Reg is a big ask and commitment.’

She added: ‘ITV’s production team ring friends and family members each day to inform them what they will see their loved ones do, or if they get overly emotional, so they can hide it from their children.’

Ms Gibson had Reggie with a property developer named Terry, 53, who she knew for 20 years before giving birth to him.

Family: Ms Gibson had Reggie with a property developer named Terry, 53, who she knew for 20 years before giving birth to him

Caring: Ms Gibson, 38, told the Mail of how she prepared to leave him: ‘I’ve done him a lot of videos before I left and also I’ve explained everything that I possibly can to him’

Yay! Reggie, who is used to sleeping with his mother every night, will travel Down Under after a couple of weeks into the show when friends and family are allowed to join

She has been in the running to replace Holly Willoughby on this Morning and she admits that ITV’s faith in her is what prompted her to take part in the show.

The star said: ‘ITV is my home. I’m an ITV face and ITV, give me this chance.

‘And I would without ITV, I wouldn’t be where I am. 

‘So, yeah, that, you know, ITV really took a chance on me and they believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself. So that’s why I stuck with ITV.’

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. 

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! 

 

 

Source: Read Full Article