Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Iain’s struggle to pay sick mum’s care fees
IAIN Lee has entered the jungle to help get money to care for his ill mum.
The Talkradio presenter, 44, is struggling to pay bills for round-the-clock attention in a care home. He says costs have hit £350,000 in eight years.
A source close to Iain confirmed a chunk of his TV fee would go to supporting his mother. The source said: “Her health is a constant worry for Iain. He spends a lot of time with her every week.
“The cost of the care home is almost certainly a factor in him doing the show. On a positive note, his mum is enjoying seeing him on the show and back on TV so it has had a positive effect. Iain will be chuffed when he hears this.”
Last year Iain told how his mum, then 65, had severe MS.
He said: “She can’t stand or feed herself, she is completely dependant on people to clean her.
“She had £100,000 savings, not because she was rich, because she never spent a penny. Because she paid off her mortgage she has to pay for care. So the house sold for £250,000 and so she had £350,000 in her bank, my children’s inheritance. “Her care is just under £1,500 a week. Imagine that.
“So she has burnt through the majority of £350,000 in eight years. You do the maths.” He spoke out in a row with Buckinghamshire Council over how much the authority would pay towards her care costs. In camp, Iain has faced verbal attacks from Amir, Jamie and Rebekah, which many viewers have seen as bullying. Last night, Amir suggested to Jamie that Iain may have been upset when Kezia left “because he wants to go home”.
But Jamie then shook his head and Toff added: “I don’t think he does.” Then Amir declared: “He is playing mind games, he has a game plan.”
The group were referring to Iain sacrificing his email from home to Kezia.
In the Bush Telegraph Amir said: “Iain is trying his best to look good in front of everyone.”
Iain, also speaking to Bush Telegraph, admitted he was disappointed he hadn’t been voted out on Sunday night.