REVEREND RICHARD COLES

Danny Jones’ wife has revealed the heartbreaking reason he has grown so close with his fellow I’m A Celebrity camp mate Barry McGuigan.

The McFly singer, 38, and the former boxer, 63, have formed an incredible bond throughout their time in the jungle, so much so that the pair plan to remain close after the show finishes. 

And on Lorraine on Friday, the musician’s wife Georgia Horsley revealed the real reason the pair have made such a strong connection. 

The model explained that Danny has found a father figure in Barry because it’s something he lacked growing up.

She told host Christine Lampard: ‘He gravitates to father figures, to older men, because he didn’t have that growing up.’

And their friendship has grown so strong, he has even invited the ex-athlete over for Christmas.

Danny Jones ‘ wife has revealed the heartbreaking reason he has grown so close with his fellow I’m A Celebrity camp mate Barry McGuigan during an interview on Lorraine on Friday

The McFly singer, 38, and the former boxer, 63, have formed an incredible bond throughout their time in the jungle, so much so, the pair pan to remain close after the show finishes

The model explained that Danny has fund a father figure in Barry because it’s something he lacked growing up

Georgia revealed that Barry might well be popping over to enjoy some turkey at the Jones’s home over the festive period, telling Christine: ‘Barry Mcguigan is coming for Christmas apparently, so there’s that booked in.’

Danny has previously opened up about his difficult upbringing after becoming estranged from his father Alan for 18 years. 

But it seems the popstar has found a surrogate father in camp mate Barry and last week referred to him as ‘dad’. 

I’m A Celebrity fans were left ‘in tears’ after Danny made an emotional confession to Barry.

Last week the celebrity campmates individually gave heartwarming speeches, and once the McFly star made his speech there was not a dry eye in the house.

Joining his campmates by the campfire seating area, Danny confessed: ‘Just like I was scared to do this speech, I was scared to do this show.

‘I was exposed, and I couldn’t you know hide behind my guitar, and it’s been the most uplifting empowering experience I’ve ever had.’

He sweetly gestured to Barry, 63, with: ‘And I’ve also found a dad. I love you all.’

Georgia also revealed that Barry might well be popping over for Christmas: ‘Barry Mcguigan is coming for Christmas apparently so there’s that booked in’

Danny has previously opened up about becoming estranged from his father Alan for 18 years and seems to have found a surrogate father in Barry and last week referred to him as ‘dad’ 

I’m A Celebrity fans were left ‘in tears’ after Danny made an emotional confession to Barry, telling him ‘I’ve also found a dad. I love you all.’

Barry looked emotional as the pair shared a sweet hug and later in the bush telegraph he confided: ‘It’s lovely that he feels that I am a fatherly figure.’

The Irish promoter and former professional boxer added: ‘He’s such a great kid, I hope I will be friends with him for the rest of my life.’

The musician’s father walked out on the family when he was younger, and nearly two decades on the singer still hasn’t forgiven him or visited him in Spain, where he now lives. 

Danny admitted he used to ‘idolise’ Alan while he was growing up but that all changed when he split from his mum Kathy – just as his band had hit the big time.

The star was 19 years old when his dad left and Danny has revealed he went to therapy after experiencing anxiety following his father’s sudden decision to leave.

He explained: ‘I had a mᴀssive bout of anxiety when I was 19 when my dad left. I feel sorry for any kid out there whose mum and dad have split up.

‘It’s their responsibility, they chose to have the kids, so they’ve got to be adult about it and stay in touch.

‘It’s hard for a kid because you crave that and you miss it but I feel like I’ve become way more of a man than I’d ever be before because I’ve learned a lot from it, I’ve achieved so much and it’s made me hungrier and not scared of stuff, I’ve become stronger.’

Barry looked emotional as the pair shared a sweet hug and later in the bush telegraph he confided: ‘It’s lovely that he feels that I am a fatherly figure.’ 

Danny’s father Alan for 18 years walked out on the family when the star was 19, and nearly two decades on the singer still hasn’t forgiven him or visited him in Spain, where he now lives

Read More Inside Danny Jones’ 18-year rift with his estranged dad as musician shares battle with panic attacks

The guitarist admitted he still feels ‘angry’ every Father’s Day and no longer has a relationship with him.

He explained: ‘When I’ve seen my mum in so much pain, it was hard. I wish I knew what I knew now, to have a chat with him at the time. But I was a peacemaker, an absolute peacemaker.

‘I was scared of emotion, I was scared of talking real talk because I wanted everything to be perfect, if they argued I was like ‘no, be quiet’

‘What I try and teach my son now is that emotions are okay, show me your emotions I want to feel it, because that is the best way of solving anything.’

Danny is now married to former Miss England Georgia and they share a son Cooper, six. However his father was not invited to the wedding in 2014 and is yet to meet his grandson.

Speaking on the White Wine Question Time podcast in 2022, he added: ‘On Father’s Day I’m angry that’s getting in the way of me having a good time with my family and my son.

The guitarist admitted he still feels ‘angry’ every Father’s Day and no longer has a relationship with him. He explained: ‘When I’ve seen my mum (Kathy, pictured) in so much pain, it was hard’ 

Danny is now married to former Miss England Georgia and they share a son Cooper, six, who is father has never met 

‘I idolised him, and my mum, they’re my first people I looked up to.’

Last month Danny’s estranged father spoke out on their decades-long rift for the first time as he shared that his a bitter divorce from Danny’s mother Kathy tarnished his relationship with his son, who he described as a ‘lovely lad’ with a ‘heart of gold’.

He told the Daily Mail they had an ‘excellent’ bond throughout the McFly guitarist’s childhood in Bolton and he ‘dedicated his life’ to helping kick-start his successful music career.

The radio DJ, who now lives in Benidorm with his current wife Sharon, has yet to meet his grandson Cooper – but he is holding out hope that ‘one day it will happen’ and that he’ll ‘finally get that pint with his son’.

I’M A CELEBRITY 2024: MEET THE ALL STAR LINE UP

OTI MABUSE  

Oti Mabuse has already two Strictly glitterballs under her belt

AGE: 34

OCCUPATION: Professional dancer

FAMOUS FOR: Oti is best known for being a professional dancer on the British television series Strictly Come Dancing, which she won in 2019 and 2020. 

DANNY JONES 

Danny Jones is one of the bookies’ favourites to win this year’s I’m A Celeb

AGE: 38

OCCUPATION: McFly singer

FAMOUS FOR:  Danny is one of the lead vocalists and the lead guitarist for pop-rock band McFly. 

He is also a coach on The Voice UK. 

BARRY MCGUIGAN 

Former boxer Barry McGuigan is heading into the jungle

AGE: 63

OCCUPATION: Retired professional boxer

FAMOUS FOR:  Barry was nicknamed The Clones Cyclone and held the WBA and lineal featherweight тιтles from 1985 to 1986. 

GK BARRY

GK Barry is a TikTok star who recently joined the ITV family on Loose Women

AGE: 25

OCCUPATION: TikTok star 

FAMOUS FOR: Grace is known for her comedic commentary on culture, lifestyle, and fashion. She has over 3.6 million followers and recently joined the Loose Women panel. 

DEAN MCCULLOUGH 

ITV bosses are hoping Dean McCullough will ruffle feathers in the camp

AGE: 32

OCCUPATION:  Radio 1 DJ 

FAMOUS FOR:  Radio 1 DJ Dean has been signed by I’m A Celeb bosses, in the hope that he will ruffle feathers with his outspoken views. 

Earlier this year it was announced Dean would be taking over the BBC Radio 1 Early Breakfast Show, after previously fronting the afternoon slot.  

JANE MOORE  

Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women

AGE: 62

OCCUPATION: Journalist

 FAMOUS FOR:  Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women between 1999 and 2002. 

She returned as a regular panellist from 2013 onwards.

Jane takes on the challenge following her high-profile split from husband of 20 years, Showbiz agent, Gary Farrow. 

MELVIN ODOOM  

Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021

AGE: 44

OCCUPATION: DJ and TV presenter

FAMOUS FOR: His work on radio. Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021, but turned down the offer at the last minute.

He also had a primetime stint on Strictly back in 2016.

COLEEN ROONEY 

Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history

AGE: 38

OCCUPATION: WAG

FAMOUS FOR: Wagatha Christie case against arch rival Rebekah Vardy.

Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history, exceeding Nigel Farage’s £1.5million from last year.

ALAN HALSALL  

Alan Halsall is best known for his role as Tyrone Dobbs on Coronation Street

AGE: 42

OCCUPATION: Actor 

FAMOUS FOR: Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall was forced to withdraw from I’m A Celeb last year, after undergoing ACL Reconstruction surgery.

Bosses have now convinced the actor to sign up again, and no doubt he will draw in a huge fanbase thanks to his long-running role as Tyrone Dobbs on the soap. 

TULISA  

Tulisa is making her career comeback after reuniting with N-Dubz last year

AGE: 36

OCCUPATION: Singer and former X Factor judge 

FAMOUS FOR: Tulisa reunited with N-Dubz last year for a tour after first finding fame with the band in 2007.

In 2011, she became a judge on The X Factor and went on to launch her debut solo album, The Female Boss. 

She released her fourth album with N-Dubz last year.  

REVEREND RICHARD COLES

Richard is an English writer, radio presenter and Church of England priest

AGE: 62

OCCUPATION: Writer, broadcaster and priest

FAMOUS FOR: Richard is an English writer, radio presenter and Church of England priest. 

He first came to prominence as the multi-instrumentalist who partnered Jimmy Somerville in the 1980s band the Communards.

 MAURA HIGGINS

Maura is best known for her stint on Love Island UK in 2019

 AGE: 33

OCCUPATION: TV Personality

FAMOUS FOR: Maura is an Irish television personality, television presenter and model. 

She rose to prominence in 2019, when she was a finalist on the fifth series of ITV2 reality series Love Island.