Oti Mabuse stressed how important it is for men to talk to each other during Wednesday’s episode of I’m A Celeb, as he revealed his brother took his own life when he was just sixteen.
The Strictly star, 34, tragically revealed that her half-brother Neo died while they were growing up.
The emotional conversation came as campmate Danny Jones talked about therapy and recalled having a panic attack on live television.
Oti said: “I think it’s really good that you keep saying that people need to talk, especially young children.”
“I don’t think young people tend to talk much and the suicide rate is very high especially among young men, so I think it’s important that you keep telling people to talk about it.”
He continued: “I had a brother who committed suicide when he was 16 and I think if he had talked to someone about what he was feeling, the outcome would have been different.”
Oti Mabuse highlighted how important it is for men to talk to each other during Wednesday’s episode of I’m A Celeb, revealing that his brother took his own life.
The Strictly star, 34, tragically revealed that her half-brother Neo died while they were growing up.
Oti admitted, “Especially in our culture, we don’t open up very much.”
Speaking of the pain among his family, he explains: “Every year we celebrate his birthday, but it is the people who are still left with the consequences who feel it every day and you have to go out into the world and be strong, happy and joyful.” and positive, but it is hard.
“So if you don’t talk about it, no matter how frustrating it is and if you don’t bring those feelings out, if you don’t seek help, it’s painful for you, as well as the people around you. I love you.”
Oti was just a child at the time of her brother’s death, as her sister Motsi shared that she took her own life shortly after Mandela’s release from prison in 1990.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi, 43, set out the heartbreaking details of her family tragedy in her book Chili in the Blood: My Dance Through Life.
‘He committed suicide with poison. And since the people of Africa are very religious and superstitious, something bad arose in our neighborhood,” he wrote.
Neo, who was born to mother Dudu and had a different father to his three sisters Oti, Motsi and Phemelo, died at the age of 16.
The professional dancer recalled the disturbing moment when her family was shunned by their neighbors in South Africa, who believed Neo’s death was a bad omen.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi, 43, set out the heartbreaking details of her family tragedy in her book Chili in the Blood: My Dance Through Life, published in Germany.
Oti said: “I had a brother who committed suicide when he was 16 and I think if he had talked to someone about what he was feeling it would have been different.”
She explained: ‘With Neo’s suicide, our family was seen as a family where there was a negative energy. Because of this rumor, no one visited us again, because it was feared that the visitor had bad energy.’
Motsi shared how she believes her brother found it difficult to adjust when the family’s situation changed for the better after growing up in poorer circumstances.
He added: ‘Neo had witnessed the rise of my parents. I still remembered the tight life, which for us, the younger brothers, was more of a narrative than a truly lived reality…
‘I think all the changes had overwhelmed him a little, everything had seemed difficult for him.
‘He had attended a private school, but had surrounded himself with people we could call ‘false friends.’ “It was a difficult time for all of us, but especially for my mother.”
Following Oti’s admission during Wednesday’s show, fans took to X to praise the star for opening up.
They wrote: ‘It’s great that Oti mentioned male suicide, it’s such a shamed and masked part of male existence. The truth is that men don’t get help because society shames them for feeling #I’mCeleb
The emotional conversation came as campmate Danny Jones talked about therapy and recalled having a panic attack on live television.
Following Oti’s admission during Wednesday’s show, fans took to X to praise the star for opening up.
‘Oti mentioning that his brother committed suicide at 16 is just heartbreaking. You really don’t know what anyone is going through or what they’ve been through and Oti being a ray of sunshine just shows you how many secret battles we’ve fought or are still fighting. #IamCeleb #imacelebrity
‘Credit to Danny and Oti, really important topic to talk about on such a big platform #ImACeleb’
‘Danny Jones talking about anxiety, Oti Mabuse talking about his brother… This episode is really hitting me. We remind everyone, especially men, that it is very, very important to speak up if you are struggling with your mental health #ImACeleb’
‘Seeing Danny open up like that about his anxiety about what happened and Oti too with his brother is so brave. It is very important to seek guidance, help and support if you need it #ImACeleb’
If you have been affected by this article, please call the Samaritans on 116 123 or 020 7734 2800.
I AM A CELEBRITY 2024: MEET THE ALL STAR LINE
OTI MABUSO
Oti Mabuse already has two Strictly Glitterballs under his belt
AGE: 34
OCCUPATION: professional dancer
FAMOUS FOR: Oti is best known for being a professional dancer on the British television series Strictly Come Dancing, which she won in 2019 and 2020.
DANNY JONES
Danny Jones is one of the bookies’ favorites to win this year’s I’m A Celeb
AGE: 38
OCCUPATION: singer mcfly
FAMOUS FOR: Danny is one of the lead vocalists and lead guitarist of the pop-rock band McFly.
He is also a coach on The Voice UK.
BARRY MCGUIGAN
Former boxer Barry McGuigan heads into the jungle
AGE: 63
OCCUPATION: Retired professional boxer
FAMOUS FOR: Barry was nicknamed The Clones Cyclone and held the lineal and WBA featherweight titles from 1985 to 1986.
BARRY
GK Barry is a TikTok star who recently joined the ITV family on Loose Women
AGE: 25
OCCUPATION: tiktok star
FAMOUS FOR: Grace is known for her comedic commentary on culture, lifestyle and fashion. She has over 3.6 million followers and recently joined the Loose Women panel.
DEAN MCCULOUGH
ITV bosses hope Dean McCullough will ruffle feathers in camp
AGE: 32
OCCUPATION: Radio 1 DJ
FAMOUS FOR: Radio 1 DJ Dean has been snapped up by I’m A Celeb bosses, hoping he will ruffle feathers with his outspoken opinions.
Earlier this year it was announced that Dean would take over BBC Radio 1’s early breakfast show, having previously fronted the afternoon slot.
JANE MOORE
Jane is best known as a panelist and presenter on Loose Women.
AGE: 62
OCCUPATION: Journalist
FAMOUS FOR: Jane is best known as a panelist and presenter on Loose Women between 1999 and 2002.
He returned as a regular panelist starting in 2013.
Jane takes on the challenge following her high-profile separation from her husband of 20 years, showbiz agent Gary Farrow.
MELVIN ODOOM
Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021
AGE: 44
OCCUPATION: DJ and television presenter
FAMOUS FOR: His work on the radio. Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses in 2021 but turned down the offer at the last minute.
He also had a primetime stint on Strictly in 2016.
COLEN ROONEY
Reports claim that he has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history.
AGE: 38
OCCUPATION: WAG
FAMOUS FOR: Wagatha Christie case against her archrival Rebekah Vardy.
Reports claim he has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history, surpassing Nigel Farage’s £1.5million from last year.
ALAN HALSALL
Alan Halsall is best known for his role as Tyrone Dobbs in Coronation Street.
AGE: 42
OCCUPATION: Actor
FAMOUS FOR: Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall was forced to pull out of I’m A Celeb last year after undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery.
Bosses have now convinced the actor to sign up again, and he will no doubt attract a huge fan base thanks to his long-running role as Tyrone Dobbs in the soap.
TULISA
Tulisa is returning to her career after reuniting with N-Dubz last year.
AGE: 36
OCCUPATION: Singer and former X Factor judge
FAMOUS FOR: Tulisa reunited with N-Dubz last year for a tour after finding fame with the band in 2007.
In 2011, she became a judge on The X Factor and released her debut solo album, The Female Boss.
He released his fourth album with N-Dubz last year.