Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
JUNGLE STARS
WHEN asked for three words to describe I’m A Celebrity’s Owen Warner, “wise old man” might not be the first that come to mind.
But while the 23-year-old has spent his time in the jungle soaking up all the information he can, his best friend and Hollyoaks co-star believes he’s super smart when it comes to emotions.
Malique Thompson-dwyer, who appeared in I’m A Celeb back in 2018, says: “Owen is a wise old man trapped in a young boy’s body.
“He might come out with things that you think, ‘Oh, c’mon, Owen’, but he has an older mindset, that of someone who has been through a lot and knows a lot.
“It can be really hard to open up to your mates but you can talk to Owen about anything. He is such an open person.
“I’ve gone to him for help on family matters and personal issues and he’s given the best advice anyone could ask for.”
Actor Malique has tipped his pal to win the show – and bookies also have him as one of the favourites.
But the 24-year-old, who plays Prince Mcqueen in the Channel 4 soap, knows life in the jungle can be tough.
Malique admits he didn’t cope very well before becoming the second celeb to be voted off the show.
He says: “Knowing millions are watching can make you crumble. It did me. I’m glad it didn’t affect him.
“He doesn’t have any competition as far as being king of the jungle goes. But whatever happens, I can’t wait to see him and give him a hug.”
Like Malique, Owen loves his food – and his friend has been impressed by
how he’s coped with his rumbling tummy. “Owen has done brilliantly,” he says. “In the second week, I crumbled because the hunger kicked in.
“It held me back, but that’s not been the case for Owen – although I know the first thing he’ll want when he gets off the plane is a Nando’s.”
As well as looking forward to some PERI-PERI chicken, Leicestershire-born Owen will be keen to see his pet hamster Pele, who is currently being looked after by Hollyoaks castmate, Niamh Blackshaw.
Malique says: “Owen loves that hamster. When I go round to his, Pele is always running around in his pen.” Whether Pele will be on the bridge to greet Owen when he exits the jungle is unknown, but the star is set for an emotional reunion with his family. He is very close to his parents and two brothers and the entire clan has flown to Australia.
Malique’s favourite jungle moment so far has been seeing
Owen overcome his fear of snakes in the Boiling
Point Bushtucker Trial.
“He told me it was the one thing he was scared of so to see him looking one in the eye made me really proud of him,” he says.
Owen’s time Down Under has also allowed him to show off his six-pack, which is honed during regular gym sessions with Malique.
“We spur each other on to be fit and healthy,” he says.
“But I can’t imagine he’ll want to do that when he gets home – he’ll want to chill with
Pele and catch up on the footie.”
He hates snakes… I was proud when he looked one in the eye MALIQUE ON OWEN’S BUSHTUCKER TRIAL