I'm A Celebrity star Nick Pickard didn't tell his daughter he was going to the jungle incase she revealed his secret.
The 48-year-old actor is best known for playing Tony Hutchinson in Hollyoaks for the past 28 years and he's set to swap the village for camp as he takes part in the gruelling ITV reality show. Aside from his family and girlfriend, there is another person he hopes to make particularly proud – and that’s his daughter.
He kept taking part in the show a secret from her for fear she would spill the beans. Nick said: "We’ve loved this show for years and I know she has always wanted me to do it. It’s been so hard keeping it a secret and whilst she will be fuming I didn’t tell her, I know she will also be happy.I hope I can make her proud. My girlfriend is excited too, it’s the longest time we will have been apart and that will be tough."
READ MORE: Want more showbiz? Daily Star has just the thing for you!
READ MORE: Want more TV? Daily Star has just the thing for you!
Nick is convinced his Hollyoaks co-stars will also love the fact he is taking part in the show. He explained: "I know they will be rooting for me when they find out. This is going into the unknown and yes, I will miss my home comforts but I want to come away not thinking, 'What have I missed?' but a greater appreciation for what you do have in life."
In 2017, Nick won the British Soap Award forOutstanding Achievement and he is the first to admit it would be the icing on the cake should he walk away as winner of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me OutOf Here! 2023. He says: 'To win would be fantastic as the public have voted for you and it means you have done something right! It would be the icing on the cake, but this is going to be such a rewarding experience. It’s a win, win."
He's excited about the prospect of taking part in some of the famous challenges but he knows it’s going to be tough sticking to a strict diet of rice and beans and one of the reason why he's stuck to a very healthy diet in the run up to the show. "I have not had a drink for five weeks," he revealed before heading to camp. "I was doing the stop October drinking challenge anyway and I have stuck to it since. It is going to be hard on the food front though."
Join the Daily Star Soaps WhatsApp for all the latest spoilers and exclusives
"I will be the person saying: 'Have you finished?' When we eat, I will hoover any of the leftovers up! Mind you, I don’t think anyone will be leaving anything I am determined to embrace everything about this show and I don’t want to come out and people moan about 'that Pickard'."
I'm A Celebrity.. Get Me Out of Here! returns to ITV1 and ITVX on Sunday, November 19 at 9pm
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here
