Rapper Aitch was spotted fully embracing the festive season with a Christmas-themed booze run in Manchester this week, just as his 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!' co-star Shona McGarty addressed ongoing speculation about a potential romance between the pair.
Festive Spirits High on Manchester Streets
The musician, whose real name is Harrison James Armstrong, was seen on Tuesday donning a classic Santa's hat while visiting a local shop. The 25-year-old, who recently finished in fourth place on the hit ITV reality show, purchased three bottles of Southern Comfort whiskey, ensuring his Christmas celebrations would be well-stocked.
Cutting a relaxed figure, Aitch wore a grey tracksuit and Nike trainers for the outing. He also picked up a festive wreath, completing his holiday shopping. Despite his newfound fame from the jungle, the rapper appeared to go unnoticed by passersby as he loaded the shopping into the boot of his £70,000 Porsche.
'Still My Little Brother': Shona McGarty Sets the Record Straight
The Manchester sighting comes just days after his campmate, EastEnders actress Shona McGarty, 34, publicly discussed the romance rumours that have swirled since their time in the Australian jungle. The pair shared several sweet moments on screen, leading to intense speculation from viewers about a possible relationship.
Speaking on the Hits Radio Breakfast Show, McGarty reflected on her bond with Aitch. 'I came out, and apparently me and Aitch were in a relationship...He's great, still my little brother!' she stated, firmly quashing the dating rumours. She added, 'He's so fun to be around, he's just hyper, and he matched my level of hyper. He hasn't been round for karaoke yet, but it's on the cards.'
Jungle Bond Fuelled Viewer Speculation
The rumours gained traction following Aitch's semi-final elimination, when McGarty was visibly upset by his departure. In the Bush Telegraph during the final, a devastated Shona said: 'I had to say goodbye to Aitch today... just one more day until I see him again.'
This emotional reaction, coupled with their close friendship in camp, prompted a wave of speculation on social media platform X. One viewer commented: 'Shona was devastated!' Another wrote: 'The way aitch & Shona hugged... they are SO SWEET!!' A third posted: 'THE AITCH AND SHONA POTENTIAL ROMANCE?! I must know cos they’d be cute af!'
In her exit interview with hosts Ant and Dec, McGarty elaborated on their connection, explaining she felt protective of him. 'To be honest, when he came into the Jungle, this rapper, he was all giving it this and that, but underneath it all, I could tell he was quite scared of the whole experience,' she said. 'He's very normal, down to earth, and we had a similar upbringing, I felt like an older sister to him. I wanted to protect him.'
While their friendship remains strong, it appears the pair are firmly in the 'sibling-like' category, leaving Aitch free to focus on his festive preparations and McGarty to celebrate her own third-place finish in the competition, behind winner AngryGinge and Tom Read Wilson.
