‘I’m ready to jump out of planes – but there’s a Bushtucker Trial I can’t do’, says I’m A Celeb’s Melvin Odoom
I’M A Celebrity star Melvin Odoom has revealed one Bushtucker Trial he’ll struggle to do ahead of his debut later this month.
The Sun revealed last week that radio DJ Melvin, 44, will be joining a host of other famous faces in the camp for the new ITV series.
Melvin admitted that he’s not afraid of heights and is happy to do the plank challenges and to jump out of planes.
He told us that he’s incredibly “competitive” and will give every Bushtucker Trial a go – but said there is one he’ll have to pass on.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Melvin said: “I’m afraid of everything but heights. I don’t mind heights, years ago I went in a Red Bull aeroplane and they looped around, it was like G-force.
“If I had to do anything, like jumping out of the plane, I don’t think I’d mind that much, it’s the least thing I’d be a afraid of.
“It would be scary, but anything else, I hate insects, I hate bugs.”
The popular star said when it comes to trials, he’s a big “teamplayer” and wants to keep the peace.
When asked if he’s a resilient person and will survive in camp until the end, Melvin told us: “I’m very very competitive, I’m a teamplayer, if you’re in a place like that with me, I’ll make sure we’re all collectively eating.
“So that’s what I’d have to do to motivate myself.”
Despite Melvin’s confidence in some areas of camp life, the TV presenter said he’s frightened of the grim eating challenges.
Discussing the dreaded trials, Melvin exclaimed: “No, no, I don’t even like eating sushi!
“I don’t like raw food, if I’m going to a restaurant at least cook my food for me, I’m paying for it, what’s going on?”
However, Melvin said he’s prepared to give the whole experience his all and lives by some wise words from his grandmother.
He said: “I would try my best, in life my grandmother was this amazing woman and she used to say to me ‘whatever you’re doing in life, do it to the best of your ability.
“The first ever job I got was on a show called Dick and Dom In The Bungalow, and they said to jump onto the set and start dancing with this dolphin outfit and I remember my gran just saying ‘whatever they ask you to do, just do it’.
“I ended up working on that show for five years later on.
“Whatever you do, just do it your best.”
Each series, the contestants often fall into roles, and this year will be no different.
Marvin said he’ll adopt the role of being the “storyteller” in camp and will inject a bit of energy by keeping morale high and his campmates smiling.
He continued: “If you listen to our show on Radio 1, my main thing is to make people smile, I like sharing stories and keeping the energy up.
“Everything that we do, we do breakfast for a long time and we do the live lounge, everything is about keeping the energy up.”
The BBC star said he’s happy to give the cooking in camp a go – but by no means will be promoted to the head chef anytime soon.
“I’m a good cook but I need seasoning, I won’t be the head chef, I’ll be sous chef,” he said.
“I’m praying if I’m in there, there will be a better chef.”
Melvin previously revealed that he was touted for the show in 2021, but turned it down at the last minute.
At the time, he was taking part in a charity special of The Circle with radio co-host Rickie Haywood-Williams.
He shared: “Years ago we had meetings, I remember us having a meeting but I think other stuff was going on at the time.”
Melvin, who is currently single and looking for love, said there isn’t one particular campmate that he won’t get on with.
The bubbly TV star added: “You know me, I love everyone.”
Melvin competed in the 2016 series of Strictly Come Dancing, but he and celebrity partner Janette Manrara were the first couple to leave the series.
He went on to win the Strictly Christmas special in 2016.
I’m a Celebrity fans don’t have much longer to wait to see the new batch of celebs face their fears.
The new series is set to start on Sunday, November 17 – less than two weeks away.
Joining Melvin Down Under are huge names including Love Island beauty Maura Higgins, singer Tulisa, wag Coleen Rooney and boxing legend Barry McGuigan.