NewdadKarl GET ME OFF THE ISLAND!
Karl Burnett is no stranger to the world of television after starring in ShortlandStreet
for 13 years, and appearing in multiple reality shows, including SingLikea Superstar and DownsizeMe.
But as he gears up for the launch of Celebrity Treasure
Island, there’s one important thing that’s changed in his life – Karl’s now a father!
Just four months after the birth of his precious son Charlie, the actor found himself hopping on a plane and heading to Fiji for the rebooted series.
“I always laughed when I was on a reality TV show and the other contestants would be crying because they missed their kids. I was like, ‘Harden up!’” he chuckles.
“But the first day I was here, I was missing him so much. I can’t say I’ll be too gutted to be voted off first because I get to go back and see him!”
While being away from his boy was a big downside to doing the show, Karl couldn’t resist saying yes,
especially when it meant he could raise cash for St John New Zealand.
Last year, Karl called an ambulance after going blind in one eye. He recalls, “My vision cut off from the middle of my eye. It was the strangest thing. I blinked for a while and it eventually went away.
“Then a few days after that, I was having memory trouble. I didn’t know what year it was, I couldn’t remember a lot of things and I was losing my balance. We called an ambulance, thinking it might be strokerelated. It turned out to be two separate migraines, which was good news but it was pretty scary.”
He also dialed 111 again after Charlie was struggling to breathe.
“It was fine in the end, his nostrils needed clearing and they ended up taking him to hospital. The paramedics were extremely good at calming us down and looking after him. They do such important work.”