I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! alum Dean Gaffney has opened up about the “nightmares” that still plague him following his jungle stint. During a conversation with Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard on This Morning, the former EastEnders star discussed his experiences from the 2006 series.
The memorable moments of his terror were revisited with vintage clips thanks to hosts Cat and Ben, showcasing Gaffney’s petrified screams from a challenging Bushtucker Trial. Speaking candidly, Gaffney said: “I’m still having nightmares 18 years later! But if I’m honest, I was fortunate to be asked to do the All Stars and we did that a couple years ago in South Africa.”
He indicated his preference for the more recent show over his first, noting: “I actually think that one was better! Number one, I got older and I know what to expect now.” Yet, he conceded: “But that was just as scary.”
When questioned on whether I’m A Celebrity had perhaps become gentler over time, Dean was adamant in his response: “No”. He went on to share insights into a particularly gruelling trial from the All Star spin-off, which aired the previous May, featuring himself and Joe Swash, reports the Express.
Gaffney disclosed: “My trial with Jo Swash has to be the hardest trial in the show’s history! It took four hours to film.”
He light-heartedly commented: “We were laughing, we couldn’t get through it, Ant and Dec were going mad.”
Last month, the soap actor shared his thoughts on this year’s I’m A Celebrity campmates. He remarked: “When people are screaming, like Dean [McCullough] and GK Barry, I’ve been in that environment – you do lose consciousness of reality. I believe [the screaming], whereas a lot of people in the forums are feeling it’s a bit OTT.”
He also hinted at potential challenges due to food shortages, speculating: “As a nation, we always vote for the person that we feel is going to bring the most entertainment and be the most frightened, I think the camp probably will go hungry, because Dean and GK are a bit scared of their own shadow.
“You start seeing a very different camp when people don’t eat!”
I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! airs every day at 9pm on ITV1.
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1 and ITVX.