I'm A Celeb star Dean McCullough on alcohol battle after BBC star's 'dark days'

Dean McCullough revealed that he went sober after alcohol took him to a "really, really dark place". The presenter admitted he quit drinking after abusing alcohol during the pandemic.

The 34-year-old Radio 1 star, who is set to enter the jungle tonight, was drinking two bottles of wine and a bottle of vodka at weekends.

Opening up about his struggles, Dean previously told the i newspaper: "It wasn't until it got really bad that I realised.

"What was like a glass of wine of an evening after work turned into a bottle which turned into two bottles and then, some weekends, I was drinking like a bottle of vodka too.

"It was the pandemic, and I just got myself into a bad way and I was sort of thinking some really, really dark thoughts to myself.

He continued: "Anybody who's kind of struggled with mental health will know what it's like.

"I just saw the path in front of me and it wasn't nice. It was really dark, and it was very destructive, and I thought, if I want to get to Radio 1, which was always my dream if I want to do that, I need to make some changes."

Dean is best known for presenting the afternoon slot alongside co-host Vicky Hawkesworth on Radio 1.

The new series of I'm A Celebrity begins on ITV tonight.

Speaking about his phobias ahead of entering the jungle, Dean said: "I am terrified of everything - snakes, green flies, being suspended off a cliff - it's all torturous. Don't tell Ant & Dec but I don't like being confined in tight spaces either!"

On the "biggest misconception" he wants to dispel in the jungle, the radio host added: "Nothing, but I haven't drunk for four years and I am very happy to fly the flag for young people who don't drink. I am happy to show how I do still go raving."

I'm A Celebrity airs tonight on ITV at 9pm