I’m A Celebrity viewers heartbroken after star breaks down in tears over tragic death of daughter-Meghna Amin-Entertainment – Metro

Barry McGuigan broke down in tears bravely talking about the death of his daughter (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)

I’m A Celebrity viewers have been left heartbroken after Barry McGuigan broke down over a family tragedy.

The 63-year-old boxer opened up to his fellow campmates including Strictly Come Dancing’s Oti Mabuse, McFly’s Danny Jones, Tulisa Contostavlos, and Alan Halsall during their second day in the jungle.

Jane Moore, Melvin Odoom, Dean McCullough and GK Barry are also part of this year’s cast, with Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly returning with their grim bushtucker trials.

During tonight’s episode, after Grace’s horrific challenge where she managed to score nine stars and Coleen discussing the infamous Wagatha Christie trial, the campmates got to know each other a little better around the firepit.

At one point, Dean asked Barry about whether he goes to church, to which the sporting icon replied: ‘I used to go to church a lot but after my daughter… you know, not as much.’

‘I used to go incessantly, but when you lose a child…’ he broke off.

His daughter Danika, who was an actress, died in 2019 at the age of 33.

Barry’s daughter Danika died in 2019 aged 33 (Picture: Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock)

She had first been diagnosed with leukaemia when she was 11 years old, and was diagnosed a second time after suffering from pains in her stomach.

Recalling the horrific time for his family when Danika was a child, Barry shared: ‘She had leukaemia, when I was making The Boxer with Daniel Day Lewis, three weeks from the end I had to leave because she’d been diagnosed with leukaemia.

‘They thought she wasn’t going to get better, but she fought back and she won it. She had two years of chemo but she was good.’

Breaking down into tears, he struggled to talk about Danika’s second diagnosis, as his campmates supported him.

‘It still hurts,’ Dean said, as Tulisa told him: ‘You’re a man going through pain, and you’re vulnerable about it, and that takes strength. There’s no rules to grieving, Barry.’

Barry was supported by his campmates (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)

His family tragedy left his co-stars in tears (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)

She added: ‘It’s an extension of your love that you’re holding on to these memories, that doesn’t mean you’re weak, it means, “This is how much I love my daughter, and I’m grieving.”‘

As Barry sobbed, Oti and Coleen also wiped back tears, with the pro dancer growing emotional and saying: ‘I don’t think you ever get over things like that, I don’t think you ever get over losing someone.’

‘For a big strong guy, I also admire that he’s brave enough to just let it go,’ she added.

‘No matter what I do, it all comes back,’ Barry went on, recalling the ‘horrible weeks’ when Danika was in hospital.

‘It was shocking.’

Viewers were heartbroken hearing Barry’s story (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)

He went on to explain: ‘She had pains in her tummy but she was making the movie, she put it off and went to the doctor, called us all in. Stage 4 bowel cancer, 5 weeks, 5 weeks she died.’

Viewers were left heartbroken, with @ScottTHFC23 writing on X: ‘To open up to a group of people he don’t know, especially just on day two is very hard, feel so heartbroken for him, it’s heartbreaking how much he has had to go through.’

‘I could just feel the pain watching him,’ @ElaineDoherty12 said.

‘I absolutely feel for Barry, no parent should have to go through that His pain is real and it’s heartbreaking,’ @MrsKatShort said.

‘What a brave man opening up like that to people he’s only met. And crying is brave. Stay strong, Barry,’ @TwellyWatcher added.

The star was praised for his vulnerability (Picture: Rich Lowe/ITV/Shutterstock)

‘Barry you broke the entire of the uk tonight protect this man at all costs,’ @jake4864 said.

@emsth0ughts wrote: ‘Protect Barry at all costs, older men being vulnerable on national TV is so important.’

@MikeRobinKavs echoed: ‘Barry McGuigan is an inspiration to so many men, young and old, who may be struggling with their mental health and feel lost. If a hardened boxer can express his feelings, so can you.’

Barry also shares three sons, Shane, Jake and Blane, with his wife Sandra.

I’m A Celebrity continues tomorrow night at 9pm on ITV1.

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