Topics: Im A Celebrity, Celebrity, Reality TV, TV And Film, Mental Health, ITV
I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! star Barry McGuigan's son has spoken out after he broke down opening up about his daughter's death.
Earlier this week (18 November), the 63-year-old former boxing promoter confided in his fellow campmates about the tragic passing of his daughter, Danika McGuigan in 2019.
Danika, or 'Nika', had already battled acute lymphoblastic leukaemia as a child and was cleared after two years of treatment and was later diagnosed with bowel cancer in her early thirties, which took her life months later, and she sadly died aged just 33.
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She was previously an actress and took on the role of Danielle Mullane in the popular comedy-drama series Can't Cope, Won't Cope, and also featured in Philomena and The Secret Scripture.
Speaking about her death, Barry shared with his campmates: "I've tried to talk about it... Those horrible weeks in the hospital, just watching her. It was shocking.
"She had leukaemia, when I was making The Boxer with Daniel Day Lewis, three weeks from the end I had to leave because she’d been diagnosed with leukaemia, they thought she wasn't going to get better but she did, she fought back and she won it.
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"She had two years of chemo. But she was good."
He added: "She had pains in her tummy but she was making the movie, she put it off and went to the doctor, called us all in. Stage 4 bowel cancer, 5 weeks, 5 weeks she died."
Barry was brought to tears before being embraced by the likes of his fellow campmates Melvin Odoom, Tulisa, Oti Mabuse and Jane Moore.
Mental health charity Andy's Man Club later issued a statement following the episode.
Lucas Whitehead, Head of Marketing & Partnerships at Andy's Man Club told Tyla: "It was heartwarming to see the level of support offered to Barry McGuigan on I’m a Celebrity this week."
He added on behalf of the men's charity: "So many men feel afraid to open up about their problems and their feelings, and not only does Barry’s bravery show men that they can be accepted and supported when they come forward, it shows men that displays of vulnerability are a show of strength as opposed to weakness. Well done Barry!"
Since then, Barry's son, Shane, has taken to Instagram to share a heartwarming message to ITV viewers at home.
"Thank you to all the other campmates supporting dad. We appreciate it immensely," he wrote.
Another statement on the Former WBA & Lineal Featherweight Champion own Instagram added: "Thank you to everyone for the overwhelming messages of love and support for Barry after last night's emotional moment on I'm A Celeb.
"Sharing such a deeply personal story took immense courage, and we hope it reminds others-especially men-that it's okay to cry, to grieve, and to open up. Your kindness means the world."
He then added the three hashtags: "#ThankYou #ImACeleb #ItsOkayToTalk."
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