ITV Im A Celebs Tony Bellews family tragedy that nearly stopped him from going on show

Tony Bellew has become an important part of camp and struck up a hilarious friendship with reality TV favourite Sam Thompson.

Fans have also seen him lose his temper at times, clashing with Fred Sirieix, who was booted out the camp on Tuesday (5 December) night.

Tony is best known for being a former WBC cruiserweight champion, and had a long-spanning career in the sport after going professional in 2007.

But ahead of his I’m A Celeb stint, he announced the sad loss of a family member on his social media.

His beloved grandmother, 97, died just a few days before his stint in the jungle and he shared a series of snaps with his nan, as he paid tribute to her on Instagram.

In an emotional caption, he wrote: “Goodnight Nan! I’ll love you forever girl. An amazing mother to me Mum in what I can only imagine was a difficult time.

“You carried me and my 3 brothers like we was yours! I can’t lie it was like having 2 Mums!"

He continued: "You always put us straight and told us off! You was the boss of our house.. 97 years old! You was a lady and a boss right to the end.. I love you Nan."

Tony received lots of support in the comments, including from Paddy McGuinness, who wrote: “RIP cut from a different cloth that generation.”

Comedian and Doctor Who star John Bishop shared multiple red hearts in response to the news.

Rapper Bugzy Malone added: “Condolences brother,” with many of Tony’s followers also sending their love.

Just days later, viewers saw Tony and Frankie enter the jungle, as the two yearly fashionably late arrivals.

Speaking ahead of his arrival, Tony admitted he was only taking part as he signed his contract before his nan's death.

He explained: "I signed the day before she passed away, so there was no going back then. If I sign something, I honour my agreement.

"In an ideal world I would have left it but I had signed. I was coming, so I am here. But I am going back to bury her on the 15th.

"I was going to renegade if I couldn't move the burial date. I can bury her now when I get back."

Tony described Rose as the "boss of the house" on social media following her death and told us: "She was in a home. And she told my mum 'I'll be able to watch that [I'm A Celeb] every night'."

The boxer is currently one of the favourites to be crowned King of the Jungle this year with him overtaking Josie Gibson as the frontrunner with the bookies.

I’m A Celeb continues tonight at 9pm on ITV.

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