‘I’ve felt so helpless’: I’m A Celebrity star Jack Vidgen reveals the secret heartache behind his chosen charity on the series
He is vying for $100,000 for his chosen charity on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
Now Jack Vidgen has revealed his personal connection and secret heartache behind raising funds for the Trish MS Research Foundation on the series.
Jack, 23, and his family have been fighting a painful battle for almost two decades, as his father was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in his early 50s.
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‘I’ve felt so helpless’: I’m A Celebrity star Jack Vidgen (pictured) has revealed the secret heartache behind his chosen charity on the series
Jack’s parents amicably separated when he was about three years of age, with his father Steven, 68, living thousands of kilometres away in north Queensland.
His dad has been battling MS for about 17 years and was at one stage confined to a wheelchair. Multiple sclerosis is a degenerative disease with no known cure.
Speaking to TV Week on Monday, Jack revealed: ‘I chose the Trish MS Research Foundation because of my personal connection.’
‘I’ve always felt so helpless with my dad’s illness. It feels good that it can be my charity,’ he added.
‘One of the biggest challenges has been my dad’s illness’: Jack’s father Steven (left) has been battling MS for about 17 years and was at one stage confined to a wheelchair
Personal connection: With his mind set on raising money for his charity, Jack is determined to tackle all the challenges in the jungle to the best of his ability
Jack, who is based in Sydney, once detailed how difficult it was to visit his father when he was growing up strapped for cash with his single mother.
‘One of the biggest challenges has been my dad’s illness and how it’s affected our relationship,’ Jack explained.
‘It’s a work in progress, but it has definitely been super-challenging dealing with it.’
With his mind set on raising money for his charity, Jack is determined to tackle all the challenges in the jungle to the best of his ability.
My, how you have changed! Jack debuted a VERY glamorous new look over Christmas. Pictured: left in 2011, right in 2020
That’s different: When Jack returned to the spotlight for The Voice in 2019, many fans suspected ‘cosmetic procedures’ were behind Jack’s altered appearance
Honest: In May last year, Jack admitted to getting lip fillers and said he had finally found happiness in himself
Since rising to fame as a baby-faced teenager on Australia’s Got Talent almost a decade ago in 2011, Jack has completely transformed his look.
He has previously spoken about his cosmetic procedures, and even addressed them i the jungle with his camp mates in recent episodes.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! continues on Tuesday from 7.30pm on Channel 10
Tune in: I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! continues on Tuesday from 7.30pm on Channel 10. Pictured: hosts Dr Chris Brown and Julia Morris