Dean McCullough has voiced concerns about Jack Osbourne taking part in this year’s series of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! warning it may be too soon after the death of his rockstar father Ozzy.
The former I'm A Celebrity contestant who appeared on the ITV show last year, said he believes the 40-year-old should not be in the Australian jungle just months after losing his dad in July.
The Radio 1 DJ suggested the emotional strain of the programme could be overwhelming for Jack at such a vulnerable time.
"I think Jack's going to struggle. Just looking at him, you can tell in his eyes that he's... I don't think he should be in there, if I'm being really honest. It's too soon," Mr McCullough said.
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Jack Osbourne is in the jungle
|ITV
"His dad only died in July, and it's such a volatile, revealing, nerve-wracking place. There is nothing comfortable about the jungle. And I just feel like he needs a bit of support," he added.
Speaking at the ZYN Rolling Stone UK Awards 2025, Mr McCullough said the production team would be keeping a close eye on Jack.
He said: "I know the team really well. We had a rigorous test before we went in there. I think he's being well looked after, but if I were in there with him, I would be keeping an eye on him."
Ozzy Osbourne, the frontman of Black Sabbath, died from heart failure at his Buckinghamshire home on July 22, aged 76.
Ozzy Osbourne died aged 76
| GETTYOther TV personalities have echoed those concerns. Alison Hammond shared her worries on ITV2’s I'm A Celebrity... Unpacked, saying: "I think he should just chill for a bit. I actually feel it's too soon for him to be in the jungle. I think maybe he should've waited a bit. I found it quite painful seeing his pain on camera."
Comedian Leigh Francis, known as Keith Lemon, agreed, saying: "There's so much sadness in his face. I think it's too soon. He's gonna get angry at things because his emotions are all over the place."
ITV bosses are reportedly monitoring Jack “intensely” throughout his time in camp.
Jack broke down on Monday night’s episode while speaking to Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley about his father’s death.
"It was definitely a shock. I mean, we knew he was sick for a while but it was definitely a shock. I mean, we didn't know it would be that quick. It was the ultimate mic drop, he did a massive big gig and was like, alright I'm done," he said.
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Jack Osbourne was visibly emotional at his father's funeral in July
|PA
He later admitted grief is still hitting him hard, adding: "I'm still navigating it all... it's been three nearly four months and so it's still pretty fresh," he told her. Lisa, who lost her mother Cath, offered comfort as he became emotional.
Jack’s jungle experience has also been marked by repeated clashes with campmate Kelly Brook over cooking duties.
Their first disagreement came when Jack criticised Kelly’s potato peeling, accusing her of taking too much off and using the wrong knife.
Tensions escalated on Wednesday’s episode when Jack stepped in to help her prepare an eel for dinner.
Although Kelly accepted, she later complained to the cameras that he had “elbowed” her out of the way.
Jack Osbourne is currently competing in the jungle just four months after his father's death
|ITV
Some fans of the show took to social media to criticise ITV for allowing Jack in the jungle so fresh from his father's death.
"No duty of care as per usual," one viewer penned, while another said: "Absolutely disgraceful, these production teams should be held accountable, you can not put a grieving person into a mine field like this! Obviously viewer ratings mean more to you than the mental health of your chosen ones."
The arrival of latecomers Vogue Williams and Tom Read Wilson worsened the situation, assigning Kelly to kitchen duties while placing Jack in charge of cleaning the camp toilets.
Kelly has since apologised, insisting she “just wants to help”.
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