Celebrity Ex On The Beach Star Threatens Quit After Kissing Dare Drama
The fourth series of the popular reality programme Celebrity Ex On The Beach returned to screens on Paramount+ on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, featuring a star-studded cast including former Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan and various reality TV personalities. However, the show quickly descended into emotional turmoil during a recent episode when a kissing dare orchestrated by Flanagan led to a dramatic outburst from contestant Freddie Powell.
Freddie Powell's Emotional Breakdown
In the awkward scenes, Helen Flanagan dared fellow contestant Izzy Fairthorne to kiss either Freddie Powell or his ex-partner Rogan O’Connor. This proved too much for Powell, who had previously shown romantic interest in Fairthorne. As Fairthorne stood up to make her decision, Powell repeatedly declared, "I'm not partaking. I'm not partaking. I'm not playing." He added, "I just don't think I'm cut out for this," before walking off set in distress.
Fighting back tears, Powell expressed his feelings of humiliation, stating, "I feel stupid. I know it's a game, that is what I am here for. Like people play games and stuff... and I can't do that. It's just too hard for me. So I'm done!" Fellow cast member John Grimes commented to the camera, "This isn't good. This isn't good at all," highlighting the tense atmosphere.
Rogan O’Connor speculated to the cast that Powell believed Fairthorne had the choice to decline the dare, while Fairthorne herself confessed, "When he walked off it made me feel so bad!" The incident underscores the high-stakes emotional dynamics of the show, where former flames reunite in a villa setting, often leading to unpredictable conflicts.
John Grimes' Spoiler Controversy
Adding to the off-screen drama, Jedward star John Grimes left Celebrity Ex On The Beach producers furious by revealing a major spoiler ahead of the series premiere. Grimes confirmed on Instagram that he has rekindled his relationship with ex-girlfriend Sarah Carragher after reuniting on the show in Tenerife, captioning a photo with, "Here's to a new chapter and making memories with the best girl xxx."
A source told The Sun, "John posting that he's back with his ex was terrible timing as it makes his whole storyline on the show pointless. Cast were asked to keep a bit of mystery around who got back with their ex and who hooked up with who so people tuned in, but clearly John was so thrilled he just went ahead and posted without thinking." The source added that bosses were "fuming" but believed it was not intentional. Daily Mail has reached out to representatives of the show and Grimes for comment.
John Grimes Reflects on Relationship and Dating History
Ahead of the series, John Grimes opened up to the Daily Mail about his relationship with Sarah Carragher, admitting that the show helped them "deal with love life regrets" as they are now in different stages of life. He said, "It was a really good feeling because we always got along even after we weren't together. She has tried dating different people and so did I, but then at the same time you don't know all you had until they're gone."
Grimes joked, "I'm sure a lot of my exes have regrets for not doing enough to keep me around, you know, I'm a keeper," and emphasized that the show allowed him to approach the relationship differently. He also shared insights into his dating history since finding fame on The X Factor in 2009, revealing that his favourite date was a last-minute trip to a Beyoncé concert in Amsterdam.
Despite being part of the famous twin duo Jedward with his brother Edward, Grimes noted they rarely go on double dates, saying, "you can only go so far with your brother there." He added that they discuss dating experiences separately but support each other.
Star-Studded Cast and Show Details
The cast of Celebrity Ex On The Beach includes a mix of reality TV veterans:
- Amy Kenyon (28) from MAFS UK
- Chase DeMoor (29) from Too Hot To Handle
- Dani Imbert (27) from TOWIE
- Freddie Powell from Love Is Blind: UK
- Helen Flanagan, former Coronation Street star
- Izzy Fairthorne from Too Hot To Handle
- John Grimes of Jedward fame
- Toby Aromolaran from Love Island
Over the coming weeks, these celebrities will be surprised by the arrival of their former partners at the villa, promising further drama and emotional confrontations. This marks Grimes' second foray into dating shows, following his appearance on Single AF in 2017.
With its blend of high-profile contestants and intense personal revelations, Celebrity Ex On The Beach continues to captivate audiences, offering a raw look at the complexities of past relationships in a public setting. The series is available for streaming on Paramount+, with new episodes expected to deliver more shocking moments and heartfelt confessions.
