Topics: Im A Celebrity, Celebrity, ITV, Reality TV, TV And Film, Tommy Fury, Molly Mae Hague
When line-up rumours for the 2024 series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! first began swirling earlier this year, Tommy Fury was the name on everybody's lips.
Fans of the show were subsequently blindsided, therefore, when the boxer's name was kept off the list when ITV's official announcement was made earlier this month.
And after presenters Ant and Dec poked fun at Tommy's absence during last night's debut episode, fans have been wondering why exactly the 25-year-old is currently at home in the UK, as opposed to winning stars in the Aussie jungle.
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Back in September - a month on from his shock split from long-term Love Island fiancé Molly-Mae Hague - a source told The Sun that Tommy would make a 'great name as a potential camp mate'.
In fact, some fans of the former couple believed the hit reality series could serve as a way for the father-of-one to tell 'his side of the story' following their break-up, after speculation that Tommy had been unfaithful.
And despite a spokesperson at ITV previously telling Tyla that, 'any names suggested' for the line-up are 'just speculation', followers of the athlete held onto hope that he'd still make an appearance on the show, and would finally spill the tea on their split.
Sadly, however, it doesn't sound as though this is set to happen this year, with ten celebs having now arrived into camp, and two others rumoured to be joining the line-up in the coming days as chaos-causing late additions.
Rumours that Tommy was confirmed for the show, however - and really did drop out at the last minute - were also seemingly confirmed during last night's episode when Ant and Dec made a direct reference to his absence.
While introducing former boxing champion Barry McGuigan, Ant McPartlin quipped: "I can’t believe Barry McGuigan is doing the show!"
"I know," Declan Donnelly then replied, before adding: "Well it was either do this or fight the YouTuber on Netflix."
Fans have since wondered what could have prompted Tommy to get cold feet at the last minute.
And interestingly, it turns out that the ex-islander is set to return to the world of boxing following a temporary break, having not stepped foot into the ring since his victory over YouTuber KSI in October last year.
Speaking to the Daily Mail about his sporting comeback, he revealed he'll fight former UFC champ Darren Till at Manchester's Co-Op Live in January 2025.
"It feels great to, finally, say that I am back!" he told the publication.
"I have been out of the ring far too long, I've been getting itchy knuckles, and so I am thrilled to be able to announce my return."
Tommy went on: "This is extra special as I am the A-side and headlining a massive event in my hometown and in front of my fans, at Co-op Live."
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