I’m A Celebrity 2021: Louise Minchin becomes fifth campmate to bid farewell to Gwrych Castle

40

View
comments

Louise Minchin became the fifth campmate eliminated from I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! after failing to survive the public vote on Thursday.

The BBC presenter, 53, landed in the bottom two alongside professional diver Matty Lee before Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly confirmed she would be going home.

Louise admitted she was ‘disappointed’ all the female campmates apart from Frankie Bridge have been eliminated.

Naughty Boy is the only man sent home by public vote so far, with Richard Madeley forced to pull out of the competition following a health scare. 

Louise said: ‘I’m disappointed that’s the case and I don’t know why that’s the case because there were some great women in there.

‘I said to [Frankie], “go win it,”  and I hope she will. I hope she can just get through these last few days.’ 

The TV presenter’s elimination follows Arlene Phillips, Kadeena Cox and Snoochie Shy.  

Louise remained upbeat after being given the news, saying: ‘Yay, oh my gosh, I’m going home!’ 

Speaking to Ant and Dec, she added: ‘I didn’t want to go home but now I’m going home, I’m super excited.’ 

Louise said she had ‘always wanted’ to do I’m A Celebrity and thought this was the perfect year after leaving her role on BBC Breakfast. 

The broadcaster often took on the role of confidante for her fellow campmates which she said was something she took ‘really seriously’.

She said: ‘I didn’t realise how much I care about caring. It wasn’t just the girls, it was Naughty Boy, Danny would come and have a word. I loved it but it’s a big responsibility and I took it really seriously.  

Elsewhere during the episode, Danny Miller revealed he thinks his portrayal of gay character Aaron Dingle on Emmerdale helped to ‘change perceptions’.

The actor, 30, who recently departed the soap after playing Aaron on and off since 2008, told how he received fan mail from viewers who said his character helped them come out. 

While the stars were sitting around camp, Frankie asked Danny about his character coming out on Emmerdale.

Danny said: ‘This new producer took over, he was the one who kind of made my career really. They asked me to come up for a meeting at the end of the day – I was nervous. It was worrying thinking they’re going to get rid of me and that’s why it’s [the meeting] at the end of the day.’

He continued: ‘I just sort of said, didn’t have to think about it, I went, “Yeah, I’d love to be able to portray something that’s not really been done in Soap.” 

‘There’s obviously gay characters in soap, but in terms of against all stereotypes of a gay man, and it made me think that would be so good.

‘At the time, 13 years ago, it wasn’t as kind of open and accepted at that time as it is now. I think part of it helped change some perceptions of it really.

‘I’ve had loads of fan letters and stuff that have come through at work that said, “You helped me come out”, “You helped me deal with my sexuality,” and stuff and you think, “Wow”.’

Asked if he ever got ‘stick’ for playing a gay man and being straight he said: ‘People are always saying it to me when they meet me, they’ll go, instantly if it was a bloke, “How do you kiss them men?” He added: ‘That’s exactly what we’re trying to stop, the stereotype of how do you do that?’

EastEnders star Adam Woodyatt said in the Telegraph: ‘Danny, taking on that character at such a young age is brave and it can be quite daunting. It is challenging. Sadly, there’s still a lot of homophobia out there.’

Diver Matty Lee said to his campmates: ‘When I was in high school, that was a horrible environment for anyone to come out. Not a single – not to my knowing – not a single gay person there, or who was out anyway. 

‘If I’d never moved to London I wouldn’t have had any gay mates. A lot of my mates in London are gay and I love them. But without that I wouldn’t have known any.’

Adam said: ‘The younger generation now are so much more accepting.’

Matty said: ‘My generation wasn’t nice still in high school. I couldn’t even be a diver without being punched.’

Matty in Telegraph added: ‘I would get that sort of bullying from just being a diver. Just because I wear little trunks. 

‘And it’s a shame because people should be who they want to be, whether it’s their profession, whether it’s their sexuality, their gender, their race… people should be able to do what they want to do.’

Elsewhere, David Ginola revealed the impact that retiring from football at 35-years-old had on his mental health.

A former forward, he played football for ten seasons in France before moving from Paris Saint-Germain to Newcastle United in the English Premier League in July 1995.

The sportsman, 54, told Matty: ‘It’s just knowing that the moments you leave on the football pitch.

‘Like scoring a goal and 50,000 people cheering you on and sharing a dressing room, having a very healthy life from 18 years old to 35. You will not have them anymore.’ 

‘I remember the game in Barcelona, it was 110,000 [people in the crowd]. Ten minutes before you’re sitting in the shower room, focus, it’s quiet… you hear the whistle from the referee, that means you have to get out of the dressing room.

‘You have this emotion and this adrenalin you get knowing you will never get it anymore. Also, it’s your passion. I was dreaming about being a footballer. It seems to be I was born to be a footballer, not anything else.’ 

Matty said in the Telegraph: ‘The shelf life for athletes is extremely short because we put our bodies through so much pressure and strain at such a young age.’

The Olympian continued of David: ‘When he retired, the one thing he missed is the one thing you can’t really get again – walking into a jam-packed stadium and hearing the crowd buzzing. It’s scary to think I haven’t got that long left in my diving world.

Adam reflected: ‘It was interesting hearing David talking about the end of his career and afterwards and how it affects him and other footballers.

‘It’s a very narrow window for doing something. My job, my career, I can carry on acting as long as I can.’ 

Meanwhile, Danny and David were chosen out of a bucket to do the trial. 

The pair were left soaked during the challenge as they had to fill up containers with wine on a rotating drawbridge.

Ant explained: ‘This is ‘Drawbridge over troubled waters’. At the end of the drawbridge is a container. That container must be filled with wine. The more wine you get in there, the more stars you win. 

‘You can only carry the wine in a bowl on your head. You must fill the bowl from the barrel over here, make your way over the drawbridge to the bowl.’

He added: ‘This is a tag team challenge. You’ll take it in turns to transport the wine.’

They were told they’d be playing for pub grub at the Castle Inn.

Dec said: ‘It’s really straight forward… apart from the fact that once you get up there onto the drawbridge, it’s going to start moving. 

‘And there may be a few obstacles in your way as well. And, I can tell you, the Trial will get harder as it progresses. You’ve got 10 minutes to complete the Trial.’

Getting a good shuffle technique going Danny complected it on his first try. David got knocked over on his first try and said: ‘It’s super quick!’

Danny completed it again and again, but David struggled. On one try he spilt so much wine, he tagged out of that try to let Danny go again.

When David got the hang of it, Ant and Dec and Danny chanted: ‘Ginola! Ginola!’

As Danny continued succeeding, Ant and Dec started chanting ‘Danny! Danny!.’

Dec said: ‘I feel like I’m playing a computer game.’

In the final minute, Danny managed to get them up to the 7 star line, ensuring they and their fellow campers would be well-fed.

Latrer, David finally received word from his girlfriend Maëva, 32, and their three-year-old daughter Ever during Thursday night’s episode.

The former professional footballer, 54, was overjoyed to learn his letter from home was hidden in a Christmas tree during a festive meal for camp at the Castle Inn.

The group were treated to party-style food for their dinner, which included peanuts, crisps, pizza and chips, in the decorated room. 

A delighted David gushed he was a ‘lucky guy’ after reading the loving letter from his girlfriend, who declared she was ‘missing him more with every second’.

During the meal, Danny Miller discovered a special surprise – Adam and David’s letters were hidden in the room. 

Danny prepared to read David’s letter. David joked: ‘It’s in French, so concentrate.’

Danny read: ‘My love, I miss you more with every second that passes. The time is so long, we can’t wait for you to come back to us. 

‘There is a big void at home without you. Everything is fine here. Ever asks after you every day, she misses you so much. 

‘She loves her daddy, her David, very, very much. Ever and I watch you on TV as often as possible, I love to see you support your campmates and take care of Danny. 

‘It is so you. Kind, reliable, strong, solid, empathetic. Be brave my man, even though I have no doubt of it. I love you more and more. You are my superhuman. Your Ever and your Maeva.’

David said: ‘I’m a lucky guy’ and blew kisses into the air.

He added in the Telegraph: ‘All this love there, I can go through anything.’

Louise read out Adam’s letter from his daughter.

It read: ‘Adam, from daughter Jessie: Hi ‘Dad the lad’, you’re doing great Papa and it makes me, Sam and DJ so happy to see you happy and having fun in the Castle. 

‘I can’t imagine you’re enjoying a rice and beans diet all too much, and you probably wish you had a curry to put with the rice. 

‘We love you lots and lots and lots, Jessie, DJ and Sam… PS. Can you tell Frankie that I’ll find that picture of me with her when I was 6 years old when you took me to meet S Club Juniors.’

Adam tearfully said: ‘Yeah it was nice.’

Later they sang karaoke. Louise and Danny sang Dancing Queen and said: ‘You just can’t help joining in.’

Simon said: ‘Louise was busting a few grooves. I think she got taken back to the old university disco for a moment.’

When David sang For Me… Formidable, Matty said: ‘David commands a room, whatever the occasion.’

Simon said: ‘David just doesn’t care – ‘I’m out there, enjoying my moment, get out of my space, the floor’s mine – bosh!’ 

When it was Frankie’s turn to sing, she sang What About Us and admitted: ‘It’s one of the worst ones for me to have sung on karaoke.’

Frankie joked: ‘So I gave it a good go. I’ve probably put my whole career to shame. I’ll take it for one good night in camp.’

Simon sang Hotel California and as a group they sang Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now together.

Louise said: ‘Couldn’t have asked for a more lovely thing to happen – all dancing and singing together.’

Simon said: ‘It was a great night, everybody had an absolute ball and it was just what we needed. Thank you Castle Inn.’

David said: ‘Tonight is a night to remember.’