Television personality Kelly Brook has made an emotional appeal to I'm A Celebrity viewers ahead of her jungle debut, asking for acceptance regarding her body shape after facing online trolling about her figure.
Embracing Curves in the Jungle
The 46-year-old star, who arrived at Brisbane airport last Sunday, became the target of vicious comments about her appearance. As she prepares for the famous jungle shower scenes, the former model and TV presenter has urged viewers to be "accepting" of how she looks now.
"Obviously, I am not a 20-year-old bikini model anymore," Kelly told the Mirror. "Life changes and your body changes. I just hope people are accepting of me and how I look now, and not comparing me to how I used to look. I am a very different person - older, but still strong and fit, and that's the most important thing."
Rather than apologising for her shape, Kelly says she has fully embraced her curves. "I feel really confident. I feel like my body is in good shape. I just feel great," she declared. "I'm 46, I embrace my curves. I embrace my body. I ran a marathon this year, so I'm proud of that."
Preparing for Jungle Life
Kelly has packed "plenty of swimsuits" for the iconic jungle shower and has even consulted with Myleene Klass, whose 2006 shower scene became legendary. "Yes, Myleene did talk to me about the shower," Kelly revealed. "She said when she arrived she didn't actually have a swimsuit appropriate for television, so she had to run out and get something."
However, Kelly doesn't plan to recreate Myleene's moment, noting "it would be very difficult to try and recreate something like that. That was fate that was meant to be, and that was her moment." She also warned that viewers shouldn't expect lengthy shower scenes because "the showers are freezing so I will be in and out very quickly."
Personal Challenges and Preparations
The television star admits the toughest part will be being separated from her husband of ten years, Jeremy Parisi, 40. "That is what is really quite frightening," she confessed. "We've been together 10 years and we do pretty much everything together."
Their relationship was highlighted in BBC's Race Across the World, but the experience made Kelly question her independence. "I wonder if I can do this on my own. I relied on Jeremy so much, so when this opportunity came up, I thought, 'You know what? I should really test myself.'"
Kelly has sought advice from several celebrity friends who've previously appeared on the show, including:
- Oti Mabuse
- Jane Moore
- Chris Moyles
"Everyone I spoke to said it was life-changing - one of the best things they've ever done," she shared. Chris Moyles offered an unusual tip: "He said 'make sure you can sneak in a microwave.'" Meanwhile, fellow Loose Woman Jane Moore advised keeping busy, suggesting "if you love cleaning, that really passes the time."
Kelly will celebrate her 47th birthday in camp but managed a small pre-departure celebration with her Heart Radio colleagues. "We had some drinks, and I got gifted a beautiful cake of my face, which was hilarious," she said.
The show, which starts on Sunday night on ITV, also features Angry Ginge, Jack Osbourne, Martin Kemp, Lisa Riley, Aitch, Alex Scott, Eddie Kadi, Shona McGarty and Ruby Wax, with Ant and Dec returning as hosts.
