UPDATE: Melvin Odoom, former contestant on I’m A Celebrity, has declared his jungle experience as one of the “scariest” of his life and officially ruled out any possibility of a return. In an exclusive interview, Odoom opened up about the intense challenges he faced during his time on the show, which aired last year, where he became the fourth celebrity to leave the camp.
The 45-year-old radio and TV star described the show as an exhilarating yet daunting experience. “It was one of the best things I’ve ever done. But I would say it’s one of the scariest things I’ve ever done,” he stated. Odoom shared that the lead-up to entering the jungle was particularly nerve-wracking, saying, “The first few days… I couldn’t sleep leading up to it.”
With several past participants returning for the All-Star edition filmed in South Africa, Odoom emphasized that he will not be joining them, labeling his time in the jungle as “one and done.” He recounted some of the grueling conditions, explaining, “The weather when we were there was so bad… we’d be sleeping in our sleeping bags, and if it was windy, it would kind of blow onto our beds.”
The lack of control over time and daily routine proved challenging for Odoom. “There are no clocks, there are no watches. Sometimes you don’t know what day it is,” he admitted, highlighting his realization of being a “control freak.” He also described the basic diet of rice and beans as “so hard” due to its blandness, but added humorously, “It was the first time I saw my abs in ages.”
Odoom weighed in at 71 kg before entering the jungle and dropped to 64 kg by the time he exited, joking that the experience served as “the greatest detox ever.” He reflected on the absence of technology, stating, “You don’t have your phone, there’s no screen time… when they handed me my phone back, I didn’t even want to turn it on for about four or five hours.”
Currently, Odoom is collaborating with fellow radio DJ Rickie Haywood-Williams to support the NHS’s Healthy Choices Quiz, aimed at helping individuals assess their lifestyle choices. The complimentary five-minute quiz provides a score out of 10 and a personalized health plan. “Staying healthy has become a bigger priority,” Odoom said, noting the changes he’s made, including joining a running club and significantly reducing his alcohol intake.
As he continues to enhance his lifestyle, Odoom encourages others to take the Healthy Choices Quiz, emphasizing the newfound perspective he’s gained on nutrition, particularly regarding fiber intake. “Eating better is still a work in progress,” he concluded.
For those wanting to improve their health, Odoom and Haywood-Williams urge participation in this free health and wellness initiative. Take the Healthy Choices Quiz today to receive your score and personalized plan for a healthier tomorrow.
