ITV I'm A Celeb's Dean McCulloch's mum lands in Australia and demands a 'word' with Ant McPartlin Dean

Dean McCullough’s mum has hit out at criticism of her son as she landed in Australia to support the star.

Mum Ann fumed there's nothing "false" about the Radio 1 DJ, 34, as she revealed she's planning to pull up Ant McPartlin because she wants a "word" with him.

ITV I'm A Celeb viewers have been entertained by supposed tension between show hosts Ant and Dec and Dean, who has faced most of the celebrity trials over the past week.

The presenting duo, especially Ant, have been particularly peeved by what they viewed as Dean's early lack of effort in the gruesome challenges. Ant made his feelings crystal clear, declaring earlier this week: "I'm never going to follow him on Instagram. Never. That's not going to happen. Never going to happen."

Dean's mum Anne arrived in Brisbane today ahead of the live evictions kicking off this weekend, as she insisted his screams are real and he has been trying his best.

"There is nothing false about him," she fumed.

“We are seeing the real Dean, he is just being himself….he just gets on with it. He has been game for anything.

"And that’s what I said to him: ‘Have fun and be yourself'."

Ant has repeatedly shared his frustration about Dean's efforts during the series so far. And on an Instagram Live video with fans, Dec even claimed there was a “bit of a debate” backstage as to whether Dean’s terrified response was genuine.

But Ann said: “I think Ant’s been a wee bit hard on him. I’m gonna have to have a wee word with Ant about that, maybe later.”

She also opened up about being picked six times for trials saying it’s been “awful” but that it meant that viewers loved him.

She added: “It’s been awful. Everytime he has been picked again, it’s been ‘oh my god.’ Do you know what, he’s a team player, he loves it and does his best. “

Asked why he was getting picked to do the trials, Ann said: “I think it’s because everyone wants to see him, he’s good to look at, he is great fun, and he is enjoying every single minute of it.

"People want to see him doing the challenges as he is such a funny bloke. It’s hard to watch but he is getting on with it. I told him that there is nothing in that jungle that is going to kill you.

“I can’t wait to check him from head to toe for tics, and for everything, to make sure he is ok, and give him one big hug."

Ann insisted she's "proud" of her son, who has quit two trials early over the past week. She went on: ""These were the moments that I was hiding behind a cushion, with me and the two dogs. I was like ‘please don’t say the words, please don’t say the words.’ But he gave it a really good go.

"He’s just been himself, and we’re all so, so proud.”

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And she also opened up about Dean’s spat with Alan Halsall earlier this week, but admitted that he'd been "starstruck" by one member of camp.

Ann said: “He didn’t give him much time to wake up did he? Maybe in a couple of seconds, he would have been grand to go and help Jane.

“He loves everyone, he is such a team player…but he has been very starstruck with Coleen especially…they are all getting on so well."

She also said that seeing Dean in the jungle was an experience, given he likes nothing more than being pampered.

“Dean loves his baths, showers and face creams…and just loves his appearance, and particularly his teeth,” she added.

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