TOWIE’s Mario Falcone has opened up about the time his big sister Giovanni Fletcher “quite literally saved [his] life” by helping him take back control of his mental health following a suicide attempt.
Mario recently revealed on BBC Three documentary Ovie: Life After Reality TV that he had attempted to take his own life following his split from ex-fiancée Lucy Mecklenburgh, and now he’s explained that it was actually his big sis who helped him through the dark period in his life.
"Giovanna was amazing - unbelievable. It was clear she was very shocked and upset. But in a crisis, she goes into super organised mode,” he said.
CHECK OUT I'm A Celeb 2020 official line-up
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1 of 12Vernon Kay
TV presenter Vernon Kay has finally agreed to take part in I'm A Celeb after being approached by producers multiple times. He says his daughters Phoebe and Amber are the reason he's doing the show, although we're sure his reported £250k fee has something to do with it too...
2 of 12Victoria Derbyshire
BBC news presenter Victoria Derbyshire has signed up for I'm A Celeb as beating breast cancer has made her determined to take on new challenges. She says, "I am now saying 'yes' to stuff I wouldn't have done previously. And, if I don't do my boys proud, I will never live it down!"
3 of 12Shane Richie
EastEnders legend Shane Richie, who played Alfie Moon on the BBC One soap, has been keeping his involvement in I'm A Celeb secret since January, when he first agreed to take part. He says his biggest phobia is human faeces - guess he won't be signing up to empty the dunny then.
4 of 12Hollie Arnold
Although Paralympian Hollie Arnold is used to racking up the medals on the athletics track, she's admitted she's not even thought about the possibility of winning I'm A Celeb. She explains, "I haven't thought about it as you get lost in thought. But if I could get that far, it would be incredible and change my life!"
5 of 12Jordan North
Radio 1 DJ Jordan North says he has "so many phobias" but is looking forward to heading into camp as he gets to meet his childhood heroes Ant and Dec.
6 of 12Beverley Callard
Beverley Callard has played Coronation Street icon Liz McDonald on and off for more than 30 years but she says the biggest misconception about her is that she's as glamorous as her on-screen character. "I hate being dressed up and I don't care if my nails break either! I am quite at home in comfy baggy clothes," she says.
7 of 12AJ Pritchard
Professional dancer AJ Pritchard says, "Doing I'm A Celebrity is a childhood dream come true," and couldn't help but throw a little shade at Strictly Come Dancing after quitting the show, adding, "I was so excited to watch the return of Strictly this Autumn but now I am going to be on an even better show! I can't wait!"
8 of 12Giovanna Fletcher
Although author and podcaster Giovanna Fletcher will miss the three children she shares her husband Tom, of McFly fame, she says, "I know it is something we can talk about for years to come and say 'remember when mum did that thing!'"
9 of 12Mo Farah
Although he's known for his massive success on the running track, Olympic hero Mo Farah says, "It will be nice for people to see me doing something other than running." He reckons his role in camp will be the cook.
10 of 12Jessica Plummer
Former EastEnders actress Jessica Plummer admits it will be hard to give up her luxuries and live in the camp's basic conditions but she's hoping taking part in I'm A Celeb will help her cure her phobias. She says, "I have got all the phobias. When my friends see me too, they are going to say 'what the hell? This doesn't make sense!"
11 of 12Ruthie Henshall
West End and Broadway actress Ruthie Henshall is the first of two late entrants heading into camp.
12 of 12Russell Watson
Opera singer Russell Watson will be joining Ruthie as the second late entrant.
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"She knew exactly what I needed to do and where I needed to go. She fixed up four days of counselling with a Harley Street doctor in London at the start and ten further appointments over the weeks.
"That really turned things around for me. She encouraged me to talk to people and not keep things bottled up. That saved my life - without any doubt,” he told The Sun.
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Giovanni has recently entered I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! as part of the first ever UK series, and Mario has proved himself to be every inch the supportive brother in an exclusive column for Closer.
“Viewers will see a side to my sister Gio that only her family know. They’re going to love her even more – there’s nothing not to love,” he wrote.
“She’s very level-headed and she’s resilient. She’s also physically fit. Giovanna’s a grafter – she’s a soldier. I think she’ll be really supportive and someone you can go to when you’ve had a hard day. Whenever I have a tough day, Giovanna is always the person I talk to.”