Eleanor Dye
Darren Day has admitted he went ‘cold turkey’ from drink and drugs in the I’m A Celebrity Jungle.
The actor and singer, now 55, appeared on the first series of I’m A Celebrity back in 2002 and was eliminated third.
Darren has been open about his substance addiction in the past – but has revealed for the first time he stopped using them abruptly when he entered the jungle.
Speaking on Monday’s episode of Good Morning Britain alongside TV personality and I’m A Celeb co-star Christine Hamilton, Darren explained his difficult ordeal during his time on the show.
He said: ‘I’ve been very candid with you this morning about being in recovery and stuff like that.
‘I will level with you and I’ve never said this publicly before – but I went cold turkey [on I’m A Celebrity].’
Host Richard Madeley then asked: ‘From drink, drugs or both?’
Darren: ‘Both – cocaine, the demon powder, and the demon drink. I literally went cold turkey in front of the whole country.
‘I was smashed when I got on the plane to Australia.’
He also confessed: ‘The main reason I did Big Brother was to try and redeem myself because I was so ashamed of Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.’
The hotly-anticipated 23rd series of I’m A Celebrity hosted by Ant and Dec returned on Sunday night, seeing the likes of Nigel Farage, Jamie-Lynn Spears and Marvin Humes take on the jungle.
In April 2010 Darren was found guilty of his second drink-driving offence in two years and was banned from driving for five years.
He previously admitted he went on a week-long drugs binge which saw him not sleep, eat or change his clothes after he hit rock bottom during lockdown.
The TV and theatre star said he barricaded himself in his bathroom and took ’20 to 30 grams of cocaine’ within the week after his company went bust and his work dried up as a result of the pandemic.
Of his partner Sophie’s reaction, whom he became engaged to in August 2020, Darren said that she was ‘sad’ and ‘didn’t know how’ to deal with things as she’s ‘never seen him’ like that before.
He went on: ‘I lost a week of my life. I did about 20 to 30 gramms of cocaine. I kept going until it was gone. I sat at the top of the stairs and I sobbed like I’ve never sobbed before.’
Deciding to sort his life out, the former Celebrity Big Brother star called up pal Robbie Williams – who has faced his own demons in the past – who then put Darren in touch with his mental health team.
The singer and actor has always been open about his struggles with addiction in the past – stating he is ‘lucky to be alive’ after enduring ‘dark days’ of excessive cocaine and alcohol abuse.
Darren developed a crack addiction between 2001 and 2005, which he described as ‘ridiculously intense’.
He explained how he was grateful that he didn’t go down the route of taking heroin, but described smoking crack as his ‘darkest days’.
He has been trying to get his life back on track with a number of theatre performances, including starring as Captain Hook in the 2022 Peter Pan pantomime at the Regent Theatre in Ipswich.
Darren and Sophie became engaged in August 2020 – little over a year after confirming the end of his 12-year marriage to actress Stephanie Dooley.
I’m A Celebrity 2023: Meet the campmates
Claim to fame: Former leader of the UK Independence Party and leader of the Brexit Party.
Phobias: Nobody likes rats, snakes and I am dreading anything to do with heights.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel?: I have been demonised over the years and so it will be nice to show people I am not nasty.
Role in camp: Lead on starting up plenty of campfire discussions.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp?: A pint in the pub and the news.
Best & worst attributes: I hope to cheer people up when they are down. Worst? I am impatient and I do snore.
Dream camper: As a controversial political media figure, I never name names… But I am looking forward to meeting interesting people from all different fields
Claim to fame: EastEnders actress.
Phobias: Rats. I hate them!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I can be a little ditzy at times but I am definitely not a ‘dumb blonde’. I want to show I can do the trials, challenges and get stuck in.
Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on, help others if they are feeling low in camp.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Snacking. I am a little muncher and I am going to miss my morning cup of tea, too!
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I will be good if people are really struggling. I am not, however, very good at being bored, nor am I a morning person either.
Dream camper: Ed Sheeran. If he brings his guitar into camp, he can sing for us.
Claim to fame: First Dates star.
Phobias: I am scared of everything. I am dying to find out how vile the food will be!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I don’t think there is anything but I am looking forward to learning more about myself during my time in the camp.
Role in camp: I will definitely muck in with all the jobs. I don’t mind cooking or cleaning the toilets.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My bed. It’s super comfy. I will also miss a cup of coffee in the morning.
Best & worst attributes: I like to have fun but I do snore and I am impatient!
Dream camper: It’s going to be nice to meet everyone but I’d love to see Dolly Parton, The Rock or Snoop Dog in there.
Claim to fame: YouTuber and Catfish UK star.
Phobias: I am fearful of everything!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle? I am a pretty open book.
Role in camp: Keep the morale and humour high.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My phone… I am always on it!
Dream camper: Alison Hammond or Adele.
Claim to fame: Hollyoaks star.
Phobias: I am a bit scared of the dark. When you go to the House of Horrors at Halloween and things jump out at you, I am not very good when I can’t see!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: It will be nice to go in as me and not as my Hollyoaks character.
Role in camp: Grafter or chef, I am quite good at cooking. But I’ve never cooked on a fire before. Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp: Football and my creature comforts.
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am a nice person and a good team player. I am not lazy but I do have a few bad habits like picking my nose. My girlfriend has been trying to train me to stop!
Dream camper: Sir Alex Ferguson or Neil Warnock.
Claim to fame: Zoey 101 and Sweet Magnolias star.
Phobias: I am scared of everything.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I think this is a nice chance to show who I really am.
Role in camp: Hopefully I will be the one who can support everyone.
Aside from family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? A normal bathroom, air conditioning and my bed.
Best & worst attributes: I think my best quality is it takes a lot to hurt my feelings; but I am impatient and my family would say I get in a bad mood a lot.
Dream camper: Nicole Kidman, she is my favourite actress in the whole wide world, or Reece Witherspoon.
Claim to fame: Made In Chelsea star and radio presenter.
Phobias: I am not a creepy crawly guy and I hate anyone or anything touching my neck.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: Since the age of 21, I’ve spent my whole life on TV and so I feel whether people have a good or bad opinion of me, it’s probably warranted!
Role in camp: I’m a ‘yes’ man so cooking, cleaning I will do whatever they want me to do.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: I know this sounds lame but gaming.
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am the court jester and I don’t take things too seriously, so if anyone is having a bad day I would like to put a smile on their face. Worst? I am quite forgetful and I am bad at focusing on things.
Dream camper: Stephen Fry. I think I would self-combust if he was going in the jungle!
Claim to fame: This Morning presenter.
Phobias: Insects and I freeze every time I see a spider and I am not sure what I am going to do if I am in a trial with them!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I would like people to know I am very clever at knowing useless information!
Role in camp: Mum. I am very motherly and I also love chatting to people.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Getting up to blow dry my hair and putting a bit of make-up on!
Best & worst attributes: I am an optimist and I love meeting people from all walks of life. Worst? I can be quite nosey and I am worried about my temper if I am too hungry.
Dream camper: Dawn French, I love her.
Claim to fame: JLS star.
Phobias: Heights. I have pulled out of a skydive with JLS in the past because I was too scared!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: To show I am not just a member of a boy band. It will be nice for people to learn more about me.
Role in camp: I’d like to think I will be a shoulder to cry on and a mediator.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: My fantasy football app! I am obsessed with it! Four weeks without music is a long time, too.
Best & worst attributes: I’ve got three children under the age of ten and you definitely need a lot of patience for that! Worst? Rochelle would probably say I get ‘hangry’ if I don’t have enough food.
Dream camper: Paddy McGuinness – I’ve done Soccer Aid with him before and I know he’s funny, he gets stuck in and he is hands on.
Claim to fame: MasterChef star and food critic.
Phobias: Horrible people.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: People think I am quite forthright and scary but I don’t think I am scary! Hopefully people will see this.
Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on and I am a practical cook so I can help out.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My three cats and my make-up bag. I love a bit of glamour.
Best & worst attributes: I would like to think I am funny! My worst quality is lack of sleep. I like my sleep.
Dream camper: Queen Camilla. She would be very practical. And Madonna – she could perform tracks from her Greatest Hits tour!
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