Former I'm A Celebrity star says 'I owe Robbie Williams my life' after addiction relapse

Former I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here star Darren Day has opened up about relapsing into addiction during lockdown until Robbie Williams helped him get back on track.

Darren has famously struggled with addiction issues in the past and appeared on Good Morning Britain to talk about the return of the hit ITV jungle series when talk turned to lockdown during the Covid pandemic.

"I relapsed at the beginning of the first lockdown so I am just coming up for three and half years [clean]," he told hosts Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid.

"And as I said before I owe my life to my pal Robbie Williams because in 2019 I broke down to Rob and he sent me to rehab in South Africa. And I was given six months to live. I was in an absolute state," he shared becoming emotional at the recollection.

"I broke down to Rob and he said: ‘Leave it to me mate’ and he took care of everything. Without Rob, I would not be on this planet without a question of a doubt. And because he'd been through all of it years before, he knew what to do. Even now...he's just the most incredible support to me. I owe my life to him," he conceded.

Darren also shared that during his time on I'm a Celebrity and talked about going cold turkey.

"I've never said this publicly before but I went cold turkey [from] cocaine, the demon powder, and the demon drink...I literally went cold turkey in front of the whole country," he said. "I was smashed when I got on the plane [to Australia]."

Asked if he had gone into the jungle in order to get clean he admitted that the thought hadn't even crossed his mind and that he may not have done the show if it had.

"To be honest with you I thought it was going to be more like the celebrity SAS show," he confided. "You know in the jungle, I thought it would be that kind of physical [trial] but it’s all about up there," he said pointing to his head.

"And having done Big Brother and Celebrity Get Me Out…the main reason I did Big Brother was to try and redeem myself because I am so ashamed of the Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here...it’s been a massive regret and followed me around like a weight on my shoulders. I was just an idiot and I'm not surprised that people didn’t like me," he admitted.

His candour struck a chord with viewers who took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to praise his bravery.

One user said: "I met Darren Day a few years back, he was the nicest, humblest fella, hope he can carry on beating those demons…#gmb." (sic)

@‌quishey commented: "Good to see that Darren Day is still fighting & winning the battle with his addictions." @‌covjim agreed writing: "Darren Day a massive well done for turning things round in his life...#GMB." (sic)

@‌mrdanleslie also commended the star saying: "@DarrenDOfficial Wow. So honest and and so brave. I really wish you all the very best. You literally made me tear up."

@‌sweetieasd simoly said: "Wow #darrenday #gmb that was an amazing interview."Meanwhile @‌Itt39354118 chimed in: "Good on darren getting the help he needs #gmb." (sic)

Good Morning Britain airs on ITV Monday to Friday at 6am.