I’m A Celeb star Melvin Odoom reveals moment that almost made him QUIT show

MELVIN Odoom was on the brink of quitting I'm A Celeb - but battled on to do his family proud.

The BBC Radio 1 DJ, 44, broke down in tears days before he became the fourth star evicted from camp.

He became emotional after sleeping in the Bush Telegraph for a night after a storm soaked his hammock, sleeping bag and clothes.

Melvin said he seriously contemplated walking at one point.

But he was desperate to avoid a repeat of his 2016 stint on Strictly, when he crashed out first.

Asked if he had thought about quitting, Melvin told The Sun yesterday: "Yes and no.

"Yeah, because I found it difficult and I thought the finish line seemed quite far away at the time.

"But no, because I didn't want to let my family down. The most similar process to this that I've ever done in my life was Strictly, and I was the first person out.

"And I was aware of that in my head. I felt like I let people down when I did that.

"Then I came back and did the Christmas special and won the whole thing. So when I was sitting there, I was like, 'I really want to leave'.

"But I was thinking, 'I can't let anyone down'."

He was comforted by Dancing On Ice judge Oti Mabuse, 34 - who he calls his sister - and boxing legend Barry McGuigan, 63, who gave him a fatherly hug.

Melvin added: "That's what got me through the whole thing. The best thing about the camp was the people.

"If it wasn't for them, I feel like I would have wanted to leave a lot sooner."

We spoke to Melvin at the five-star JW Marriott hotel in Surfers Paradise, Australia, hours after he left the jungle.

He looked dapper after ditching his camp clobber for a short-sleeve revere collar shirt and blue shorts following his first hot shower in weeks.

Melvin looked lean, too - having shedded just over a stone during his 18 days in the jungle's sweltering heat on a rice and beans diet.

Now he is out, he will be hoping to talk his celebrity crush, former Countdown star Carol Vorderman, 63, into going on a date.

Melvin revealed his love for her in camp - with his luxury item a pillow with her face on.

After seeing it, Carol sent saucy voice messages for Melvin into ITV2 spin-off show Unpacked.

Melvin said: "I think she's hot. I think Carol Vorderman is fine.

"So when I found out that she sent a message to the guys in Unpacked, I was laughing.

"Finally, she's got the message!

"I think it's worth messaging her and seeing, you know… her thoughts.

"I'm gonna have a lot of friends help me out with that first message, I think."

Melvin also lifted the lid on his Radio 1 colleague Dean McCullough, 32 - whom he nicknamed "Hou-Deani" after he disappeared when he was meant to be doing chores.

'I only deal in the truth'

Melvin came out with it after Dean vanished when they were supposed to fetch water together.

Asked about fellow evictee Dean ducking chores, Melvin paused and said: "Come on, guys. Come on.

"I love Deany. I'll give you the truth, because I only deal in the truth.

"So Deany was essentially doing most of the trials, and on trial days, if people had their trials, most of us would let you off the chores.

"When we got put on our roles, I wanted to give Dean a day's grace, because I knew he hadn't really had a chance to enjoy.

"When everyone goes through their trials and their challenges, people are chilling - they might go to the creek, someone might sunbathe, whatever.

"Dean didn't have that day. So the first day I was really conscious that I actually didn't want to bother him.

"The second day, I was like, 'bro, let's get to work. There's buckets to be carried here'.

"Second day, my man was doing Reiki on Coleen [Rooney]!. He was having a shower.

"If he tried to tell you that he had a challenge that day, then he's trying to pull a fast one.

"And I'll tell him to his face - bring him here now. He was relaxing! He was relaxing."