I’m A Celeb star Melvin Odoom reveals the moment that almost made him QUIT the show

MELVIN Odoom was set to quit I’m A Celeb – but fought to make his family proud.

The BBC Radio 1 DJ, 44, broke down in tears days before becoming the fourth star evicted from the camp.

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He became emotional after sleeping in the Bush Telegraph for a night after a storm soaked his hammock, sleeping bag and clothes.

Melvin said he seriously considered walking at one point.

But he was desperate to avoid a repeat of his 2016 stint on Strictly, when he crashed out first.

Asked if he had thought about quitting, Melvin told The Sun yesterday: “Yes and no.

“Yes, because I found it difficult and I thought the finish line seemed quite far away at that point.

“But no, because I didn’t want to let my family down. The most similar process to this that I’ve ever done in my life was Strictly, and I was the first person out.

“And I was aware of it in my head. I felt like I was letting people down when I did that.

“Then I came back and did the Christmas special and won everything. So when I was sitting there I was like, ‘I really want to leave.’

“But I thought, ‘I can’t disappoint anyone.’

He was comforted by Dancing On Ice judge Oti Mabuse, 34 – who he calls his sister – and boxing legend Barry McGuigan, 63, who gave him a fatherly hug.

Melvin added: “That’s what got me through this whole thing. The best thing about camp was the people.

“Without them, I feel like I would have wanted to leave a lot sooner.”

We spoke to Melvin at the five-star JW Marriott hotel in Surfers Paradise, Australia, a few hours after leaving the jungle.

He looked dapper after ditching his camp outfit for a short-sleeve, high-collar shirt and blue shorts after his first hot shower in weeks.

Melvin also looked skinny – having lost just over a stone during his 18 days in the sweltering jungle heat on a diet of rice and beans.

Now he’s away, he’s hoping to convince his celebrity, former Countdown star Carol Vorderman, 63, to go out with him.

Melvin revealed his love for her at camp – with his luxury item, a pillow with her face on it.

After seeing it, Carol sent sassy voicemails to Melvin on ITV2 spin-off show Unpacked.

Melvin said: “I think she’s hot. I think Carol Vorderman is good.

“So when I found out she sent a message to the Unpacked guys, I laughed.

“Finally, she got the message!

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“I think it’s worth messaging him and seeing, you know… his thoughts.

“I’m going to ask a lot of friends to help me with this first post, I think.”

Melvin also lifted the lid on his Radio 1 colleague Dean McCullough, 32 – who he nicknamed ‘Hou-Deani’ after he disappeared while he was supposed to be doing chores.

“I only deal with the truth”

Melvin revealed it after Dean disappeared when they were supposed to go get water together.

Asked about Dean’s dodging duties, another evicte, Melvin paused and said, “Come on, guys. Come on.

“I love Deany. I’ll tell you the truth, because I only deal with the truth.

“So Deany was basically doing most of the tryouts, and on tryout days, if people had their tryouts, most of us would drop the chores to you.

“When we were assigned our roles, I wanted to give Dean a day off, because I knew he hadn’t really had a chance to enjoy it.

“When everyone is going through their trials and challenges, people relax – they can go to the creek, someone can sunbathe, whatever.

“Dean didn’t have that day. So the first day I was really conscious that I didn’t want to bother him.

“The second day, I said to myself: ‘Brother, let’s get to work. There are buckets to carry here.’

“The second day my man was doing Reiki on Coleen (Rooney)!. He was taking a shower.

“If he tried to tell you he had a challenge that day, then he’s trying to complete one quickly.

“And I’m going to tell him to his face – bring him here now. He was relaxing! He was relaxing.”

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