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I’m A Celebrity’s Tony Bellew reveals secret grief battle after dad’s shock diagnosis and says ‘I’m struggling with it’
The former boxer posted emotional Instagram video as part of his Movember Shaving Story series
I’M A Celebrity’s Tony Bellew has revealed his secret grief battle after his dad’s shock diagnosis, admitting he is "struggling to come to terms with it".
Tony, 41, told fans his father's doctors had detected a number of illnesses, although he chose not to disclose the specifics.
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In an emotional Instagram video as part of his Movember Shaving Story series, the former boxer encouraged fans to speak openly about mental health and reflected on his own struggles with grief.
Tony said: "This one that we should talk about people being vulnerable. Well, I think not a person in the world who isn't vulnerable.
"I've lost quite a few people in my time, from a boxing coach, your grandparents, your brother-in-law, to a lot of different people, and struggled massively with it.
"I've now got a dad who's been diagnosed with a couple of different things, but he's trying his very best.
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"And has always been a great father. So at the minute, my bit of struggle and fear is with my dad. I struggle to come to terms with it, stuggling to comprehend it, and it frightens me. It gets me there a lot.
"So, yeah, now, if I couldn't open up anymore if I tried. So I'm telling this now. It could probably go out to millions of people, at a time to put it around. So if I can tell millions of people, hopefully you guys can tell me.
"Someone or anyone out there listening. Yeah, guys, start talking and acknowledge things because we're not going to get anywhere if we don't. I think it's massively important."
Earlier this month, Tony announced he would be launching the series in support of the annual initiative, aiming to encourage men to have honest conversations about their mental health.
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He wrote on the platform: "As part of Movember, I want to encourage more men to talk to each other about X, Y and Z.
"Therefore, every few days, I’m gonna do silly videos like this.. These are childish memories I have locked in my tiny little brain.. Some funny some ugly and some nice.. Guys let’s just get talking hey!!"
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While little is known about Tony's father, he previously revealed he was raised by his grandmother after he left when Tony was 10.
Sadly, just ahead of his jungle stint last year, she lost her life at 97.
He said at the time: "I signed the day before she passed away, so there was no going back then. If I sign something, I honour my agreement.
"In an ideal world I would have left it but I had signed. I was coming, so I am here. But I am going back to bury her on the 15th.
"I was going to renegade if I couldn't move the burial date. I can bury her now when I get back."
The star added to : 'She was in a home. And she told my mum 'I'll be able to watch that [I'm A Celeb] every night'.
"So yeah, it is what it is. She'll be watching, you know, from wherever she is and whatever she's doing. She was a diamond of an old lady. She was wonderful.
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"I come from a single parent household, my dad left when I was 10. So when you come from where I come from, your Nan helps around a lot because your mother goes to work. So your nan is your second mum.
"She was a lovely, lovely woman, and she had the heart of gold, so she'll be missed by all of us. Me and my brothers and my mother and my dad by the way as well."
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