I'm A Celeb star Fatima Whitbread opened up about her tough childhood and how it helped her stay strong in the ITV jungle.
Fatima, 63, spoke exclusively to Daily Star about the launch of her new book My Bright Shining Star and her heart wrenching upbringing. The sporting legend was abandoned as a baby and placed in the care system for 14 years which forced her to grow up very quickly.
When asked if her difficult upbringing helped her in the ITV jungle, Fatima told us: "Yes definitely, because I've always had to learn to use mind over matter with lots of stuff, and learn to be patient and perseverance. Because perseverance and patience get you places, not brute force and shouting your mouth off."
READ MORE: Click for more brilliant Daily Star TV stories
Fatima starred on the ITV show back in 2011 and again last year for the All Stars version in South Africa. She added: "Some people other people would struggle not eating or sleeping but wasn't uncommon for me not to eat or sleep growing up, so I felt very strong in there."
Keeping other people in check was quite important to Fatima in the jungle and she loved to follow camp rules. Talking about this, Fatima added: "My values and my beliefs have always been important to me when growing up in the children's home, I didn't like any injustice to the kids. As a 10-year-old, I was calling out a lot of injustice, so I got punished a lot, but to me, that's important, because you're standing up for other people and your rights and what you believe in.
"If it's not right, then it should be called out. When I was growing up at the kids home, I was like a little Mum, I had to lead by example and stand by my beliefs and values which have always been about curiosity, the why, and also be determined and passionate about what you're doing." Fatima's new book My Bright Shining Star (£7.99) is out now and more details can be found here.
Fatima continues to focus her efforts on trying to improve the care system for children in the UK and works tirelessly to do so. If you would like to find out more about the change in the UK care sector Fatima is fighting for or would like to donate to her cause then please visit https://www.fatimascampaign.com.
Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter .
English (US) ·