Leomie Anderson is entering the I'm A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! jungle this year in memory of her father, who died from cancer on Christmas Day in 2022, and her uncle, who has also died.
The 33-year-old Victoria's Secret model is one of 11 famous faces taking part in the ITV show, which sees celebrities face terrifying challenges in the Australian jungle.
A Personal Tribute to Her Father and Uncle
Anderson told the Mirror that both her father and uncle were big fans of the programme, and she now wants to make them proud by becoming a campmate.
She said: "This show was one of my dad's and uncle's favourite shows to watch. So when the opportunity arose, I was like, okay, let me try and do it this year."
"Neither of them are here anymore. So it's emotional, but I'm very very proud that I've been able to do it this year, and do it in their memory."
Raising Awareness of Cancer Symptoms
Anderson hopes to use her time on the show to raise awareness of the disease, believing that her father's reluctance to visit doctors contributed to his illness being diagnosed too late.
She explained that she wants people to remind their parents to get checked by doctors when any symptoms appear, regardless of how small.
She added: "Because my dad was the type who didn't really want to go to the doctors and stuff like that, and I feel like that was one of the reasons why his cancer was discovered so late."
Anderson confessed her dad, who was supportive of her career, knew little about the industry she worked in but knew I'm A Celeb "through and through".
Speaking About Her Father's Death on the Show
Wanting to speak about her father's death while on the show to her campmates, she said: "It's something that even though it's very emotional for me to talk about, I hope that I do get the opportunity to speak about it because I know it will resonate with a lot of people."
Anderson is joining the jungle alongside Chloe Burrows, Joanna Page, Jack Skipper, Ricky Wilson, Claire Sweeney, Ade Adepitan, Mariella Frostrup, AJ Odudu, Wayne Rooney and Sharky.
I'm A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! airs Monday November 16 on ITV at 9pm.
