The suicide tragedy that rocked I'm a Celeb star Oti Mabuse's family life as star praised for opening up

Oti Mabuse stressed how important it is for men to talk to each other during Wednesday’s episode of I’m A Celeb, as she disclosed that her brother took his own life when he was just sixteen years old.

The Strictly star, 34, tragically revealed that her half-brother Neo died while they were growing up.

The emotional conversation came as fellow campmate Danny Jones talked about therapy and recalled having a panic attack on live TV.

Oti said: ‘I think it’s really good that you keep saying people must talk, especially young boys.

‘I don’t think young boys tend to talk that much and the suicide rate is so high in young men especially, so I think it’s important that you keep telling people to talk about it.’

She continued: ‘I had a brother who committed suicide when he was 16 and I think if he had spoken to someone about what he was feeling, it would’ve been a different turnout.’

Oti Mabuse stressed how important it is for men to talk to each other during Wednesday’s episode of I’m A Celeb , as she disclosed that her brother took his own life

The Strictly star, 34, tragically revealed that her half-brother Neo died while they were growing up

Read More I’m A Celeb’s Danny Jones breaks down in tears as he opens up about his anxiety

Oti admitted: ‘Especially in our culture, we don’t really open up.’

Speaking of grief amongst her family she explains: ‘Every year we celebrate his birthday, but it’s the people that are still left with the aftermath that feel it every single day and you have to go out in the world and be strong and happy and bubbly and positive, but it’s tough.

‘So if you don’t talk about it, no matter how frustrating it is and if you don’t get those feelings out, if you don’t seek the help, it’s hurtful for you, as well as the people around you that love you’.

Oti was only a little girl at the time of her sibling’s death as her sister Motsi shared that he took his own life shortly after Mandela’s release from prison in 1990.

Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi, 43, laid bare the heart-wrenching details of their family tragedy in her book Chili in the Blood: My Dance Through Life.

‘He killed himself with a poison. And because the people of Africa are very religious and supersтιтious, something bad arose in our neighbourhood,’ she wrote.

Neo — who was born to mum Dudu and had a different dad to his three sisters Oti, Motsi and Phemelo — died at the age of 16.

The dancing professional recalled the haunting time when her family were shunned from their neighbours in South Africa who believed Neo’s death was a bad omen.

Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi, 43, laid bare the heart-wrenching details of their family tragedy in her book Chili in the Blood: My Dance Through Life which is published in Germany

Oti said: ‘I had a brother who committed suicide when he was 16 and I think if he had spoken to someone about what he was feeling, it would’ve been a different turnout’

She elaborated: ‘With the suicide of Neo, our family was seen as one where there was a negative energy. Because of this rumour, no one came to us any more, because it was feared that bad energy applied to the visitor.’

Motsi shared how she believes her brother found it difficult to adapt when the family’s situation changed for the better after growing up in poorer circumstances.

She added: ‘Neo had witnessed the rise of my parents. He still remembered the cramped life, which for us younger siblings was more of a narrative than a truly experienced reality…

‘I think all the changes had overwhelmed him a little bit, everything had seemed difficult to him.

‘He had gone to a private school, but he had surrounded himself with people you might call ‘false friends.’ It was a tough time for all of us, but especially for my mum.’

Following Oti’s admission during Wednesday’s show, fans took to X to praise the star for opening up.

They wrote: ‘Great that Oti brought up Male suicide, it’s such a shamed and masked part of the male existence. The truth is Men don’t get help because society shames men for feeling #ImACeleb’

The emotional conversation came as fellow campmate Danny Jones talked about therapy and recalled having a panic attack on live TV

Following Oti’s admission during Wednesday’s show, fans took to X to praise the star for opening up

‘Oti mentioning her brother committing suicide at 16 is just heartbreaking. You genuinely don’t know what anyones going through or been through and Oti being a ray of sunshine just shows you how many secret battles we’ve fought or are still fighting. #ImACeleb #imacelebrity’

‘Credit to Danny and Oti here, really important topic to talk about on such a huge platform #ImACeleb’

‘Danny Jones opening up about anxiety, Oti Mabuse talking about her brother…This episode is really hitting me in the feels. Reminder to everyone out there, especially men, that it’s so, so important to speak out if you’re struggling with your mental health #ImACeleb’

‘Seeing Danny open up like that about his anxiety what he went through and Oti as well with her brother is so brave It’s so important to seek out some guidance help and support if you need it #ImACeleb’

If you’ve been affected by this article, please call the Samaritans on 116 123 or 020 7734 2800

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