Tulisa’s pal says ‘you never know’ to demisexual star having jungle romance with her I’m A Celeb co-star
TULISA’S best pal has teased the potential of a jungle romance for the I’m A Celeb star after she revealed she is demisexual.
The N Dubz hitmaker was candid about her love life on Tuesday’s episode, telling a handful of her fellow campmates how she had been celibate for three years.
Best Behaviour songstress Tulisa, 36, told how she craved an “emotional” connection with a partner and, despite the fact she had used dating app Raya, had never met up with anyone.
Her best pal Michelle McKenna opened up further on her life off-camera during Wednesday’s episode of ITV show Lorraine.
She said of the lively I’m A Celeb campmate: “I think she would like to meet someone.
“It’s been a long time.
“But its meeting the right one isn’t it?
“She’s going with the flow.”
Show host Lorraine Kelly then probed as to a potential romance with Tulisa’s fellow head of camp, Alan Halsall, 42.
The star has formed a bond with the Coronation Street actor after they completed the opening task together – where they were both declared camp leaders.
They now share a lodge away from the rest of the camp.
During a chat on Tuesday, Alan also opened up on his love life, addressing his divorce from former co-star Lucy Jo Hudson.
This led Lorraine to question Michelle and ask: “What are we thinking?
“Because obviously she’s getting on very well with Alan.
“They are both single, there is of course this N-Dobbs thing with their name.”
Lorraine added: “So you never know, is what I am saying?”
I'm A Celebrity 2024
i'm A Celebrity is back for its 24th series, with a batch of famous faces living in the Aussie jungle. The Sun's Jake Penkethman takes a look at the stars on the show this year..
Coleen Rooney – Arguably the most famous name in the camp, the leading WAG, known for her marriage to Wayne Rooney, has made a grand return to TV as she looks to put the Wagatha Christie scandal behind her. The Sun revealed the mum-of-four had bagged an eye-watering deal worth over £1.5million to be on the show this year making her the highest-paid contestant ever.
Tulisa – The popstar and former X Factor judge has made her triumphant TV comeback by signing up to this year’s I’m A Celeb after shunning TV shows for many years. Known for being a member of the trio, N-Dubz, Tulisa became a household name back in 2011 when she signed on to replace Cheryl on ITV show The X Factor in a multi-million pound deal.
Alan Halsall – The actor, known for playing the long-running role of Tyrone Dobbs on ITV soap opera Coronation Street, was originally signed up to head Down Under last year but an operation threw his scheduled appearance off-course. Now he has become the latest Corrie star to win over both the viewers and his fellow celebrities.
Melvin Odoom – The Radio DJ has become a regular face on TV screens after rising to fame with presenting roles on Kiss FM, BBC Radio 1 and 4Music. Melvin has already been for a spin on the Strictly dancefloor and co-hosted The Xtra Factor with Rochelle Humes in 2015 but now he is facing up to his biggest challenge yet – the Aussie jungle.
GK Barry – The UK’s biggest social media personality, GK, whose real name is Grace Keeling, has transformed her TikTok stardom into a lucrative career. Aside from her popular social media channels, she hosts the weekly podcast, Saving Grace, and regularly appears on ITV talk show, Loose Women. She has even gone on to endorse popular brands such as PrettyLittleThing, KFC and Ann Summers.
Dean McCullough – A rising star amongst this year’s bunch of celebs, Dean first achieved notability through his radio appearances on Gaydio and BBC Radio 1. He was chosen to join the BBC station permanently in 2021 and has featured prominently ever since. He has enjoyed a crossover to ITV over the past year thanks to his guest slots on Big Brother spin-off show, Late & Live.
Oti Mabuse – The pro dancer has signed up to her latest TV show after making her way through the biggest programmes on the box. She originally found fame on Strictly Come Dancing but has since branched out into the world of TV judging with appearances on former BBC show The Greatest Dancer as well as her current role on ITV’s Dancing On Ice.
Danny Jones – The McFly star was drafted into the programme last minute as a replacement for Tommy Fury. Danny is the second member of McFly to enter the jungle, after Dougie Poynter won the show in 2011. He is also considered a rising star on ITV as he’s now one of the mentors on their Saturday night talent show, The Voice, along with bandmate Tom Fletcher.
Jane Moore – The Loose Women star and The Sun columnist is braving the creepy crawlies this year. The star is ready for a new challenge – having recently split from her husband. It will be Jane’s first foray into reality TV with the telly favourite having always said no to reality shows in the past.
Barry McGuigan – Former pro boxer Barry is the latest fighting champ to head Down Under following in the footsteps of Tony Bellew and Amir Khan. It comes after a tough few years for Irish star Barry, who lost his daughter Danika to bowel cancer. He told The Late Late Show in 2021: “She was such an intrinsic part of the family that every day we ache.”
Maura Higgins – The Irish TV beauty first found fame on Love Island where she found a brief connection with dancer Curtis Pritchard. Since then, she has competed on Dancing On Ice as well as hosting the Irish version of the beauty contest, Glow Up. Since last year, she has been working on building up her career in the US by being the social media correspondent and host of Aftersun to accompany Love Island USA. She even guest hosted an episode of the spin-off, Love Island Games, in place of Maya Jama last year.
Rev. Richard Coles – Former BBC radio host the Rev Richard Coles is a late arrival on I’m A Celebrity, and he’s ready to spill the beans on his former employer. The former Communards and Strictly star, said the BBC did not know its a**e from its elbow last year. An insider said: “Rev Coles will have a variety of tales to tell from his wild days as a pop star in the Eighties, through to performing on Strictly and his later life as a man of the cloth.”
Michelle then replied: “You never know.
“We will have to watch.”
OPENING UP
Tulisa’s comments came as she told her campmates Dean McCullough and Alan that she identifies as demisexual.
Demisexuality is where a person only begins to find someone sexually attractive after forming a strong emotional bond with them first.
The chat began as Dean admitted he “enjoys” being single.
“I’m not really a dater,” Tulisa revealed. “Even though I’ve been on there, I’ve never gone on an actual date with anyone on there. I’m proper guarded.”
Revealing her sexuality, she continued: “I feel like I’m demisexual.
“I need to have a really close emotional bond with someone.”
Dean told her: “You need meaning, babe.”
Agreeing, Tulisa replied: “I need actual depth.”
She added: “I’m a slow, slow burner, I’ve been celibate for over three years.”
Dean went on the quiz Tulisa further on her celibacy as the candid chat continued in camp.
“I’m not an overly sexualised person,” Tulisa admitted.
“For me, it’s all about the connection and the emotions that I feel with someone and then wanting to express them in that way.”
She even admitted the thought of sleeping with someone ‘genuinely makes her feel physically sick’.
Tulisa joked: “This is my temple, you cannot enter!”
The campmates all laughed before Tyrone Dobbs actor Alan made a joke.
“It sounds like a Bushtucker Trial, where you’ve gotta find a key to Tulisa’s temple!” he mused.