Josie Gibson reveals her secret heartache as she touches down in Australia for I’m A Celebrity
This Morning presenter Josie Gibson was the third star to arrive in Australia last night to appear on I’m A Celeb.
The former Big Brother contestant takes a break from the couch to star in the jungle alongside Nigel Farage and Jamie Lynne Spears.
But Josie, 38, shared her secret heartache as she signed up for the ITV show, admitting she is devastated at being away from her five-year-old son Reggie for the next month.
When asked at Brisbane airport what she will miss most, she told MailOnline: ‘My little boy, he’s only five.
‘It was emotional (saying goodbye), I can’t talk about it.
Arrival: This Morning presenter Josie Gibson was the third star to arrive in Australia last night to appear on I’m A Celeb
Here we go! The former Big Brother contestant takes a break from the couch to star in the jungle alongside Nigel Farage and Jamie Lynne Spears
Josie, who also admitted she was ‘excited’ to be there, tried to keep her deal to join I’m A Celeb a secret, insisting she was in Australia for a weight loss retreat.
She said she would like to enjoy the rice and beans that the participants receive as a daily meal.
Josie also didn’t rule out victory, saying: “I guess we’ll have to wait and see, I don’t know.”
The presenter also urged This Morning viewers to tune into the show in her absence.
Speaking about her co-star Craig Doyle, Josie said: ‘Ah, he’s so luscious, I love Craig, he’s so nice.
‘On Wednesday he is out with Cat Deeley and also with the Rylan. So make sure you don’t miss it.
She was spotted taking selfies with fans at Heathrow airport yesterday – confirming speculation she had signed up for the ITV show.
Channel bosses are said to be keen to boost her profile following her popularity on their daytime program This Morning. Josie will join the likes of Nigel Farage and influencer Nella Rose – who have already arrived – in Oz.
Mother: Josie, 38, shared her secret heartache as she signed up for the ITV show and confessed she is devastated at being away from her five-year-old son Reggie
Emotional: When asked at Brisbane airport what she will miss most, she told MailOnline: ‘My little boy, he’s only five
Keeping mum: Josie, who also admitted she was ‘excited’ to be there, tried to keep her deal to join I’m A Celeb a secret, insisting she was in Australia for a slimming retreat
Bookmakers’ favorite: Josie also didn’t rule out winning, saying: ‘I guess we’ll have to wait and see, I don’t know’
Fan favorite: The presenter also urged This Morning viewers to tune in to the show in her absence
First Dates star Fred Sirieix is also expected to land in Brisbane in the coming hours, while other celebrities reportedly set to attend include jockey Frankie Dettori, singer Marvin Humes, chef Grace Dent and Britney Spears’ younger sister Jamie Lynn Spears .
However, Josie is the bookmakers’ favorite to be crowned Queen of the Jungle this year after winning the nation’s hearts and votes during her Big Brother appearance in 2010.
Her cheerful charisma saw the housemates select her for a ticket to the final and Josie won with 77 percent of the public votes – the highest score of any other series.
She became a household name earlier this year when she presented This Morning alongside Holly Willoughby after Phillip Schofield was ousted.
The show starts on Sunday, November 19.