I went in as a Boy but came out a good man
Camp made star Naughty and nice
NAUGHTY Boy says his stint on I’m A Celebrity has revealed the man behind his celebrity persona.
The DJ and producer, real name Shahid Khan, said his time in Gwrych Castle had made him grow in confidence.
He said: “I feel like I grew in there, it was a journey I didn’t expect, the friends I made and the experiences I had.
“I grew in the way I handled things and overcame so many fears. Snakes, heights, enclosed spaces, all these things I would have never overcome so I am grateful.
“Naughty Boy the brand is sick and I love it but this experience has made me proud of myself.
“I was able to just be myself. I went in Naughty Boy and I came out a good man.”
Yesterday he was being reunited with his mum who suffers from dementia and who he cares for when living at home.
Despite contestants having food treats when evacuated from camp during Storm Arwen, he said he has lost 1st 6lb on a rice and beans diet before being the fifth contestant to leave the ITV show.
Naughty Boy, 40, said: “I don’t know what the Australian jungle was like but this was a challenging experience. I can guarantee you it was not easy.
“Sleeping in The Clink was so cold. I felt I needed to protect Arlene [Phillips]. I couldn’t leave because I didn’t want to leave her. The Clink was the best way to start our bond, we started in the trenches and it could only get better from there. Once I started winning trials, 11 stars, 10 stars, I felt I belonged more. I felt I was adding something to the group and that was the moment that I started enjoying myself.”
Despite spats with most contestants, Naughty Boy hopes to join ex-footballer David Ginola on holiday in January.
“We are going to Dubai, David is going there with his family and I am going to join them because I am working on a film and meeting a director,” he said.
Asked about the arguments with the likes of Ginola and Kadeena Cox, he said: “I wasn’t trying to instigate anything, I was always just true to myself.
“I’m the kind of guy who, if I am feeling something, I won’t carry it. If I’m feeling something, I’m going to get out straight away, not in a bad way. Just honestly.
“My co-chef experience with Kadeena was the best. We had “rice-gate” but it wasn’t anything serious, some people like rice pudding and I like fried rice.
“I would like to continue a friendship with everyone in the camp.”
Last night Louise Minchin became the sixth celebrity to leave the castle.