Oti Mabuse leaves viewers in tears as she opens up about heartbreaking family tragedy on I’m A Celebrity

I’M A Celebrity star Oti Mabuse has left fans in tears after opening up about the tragic death of her teenage brother.

Oti, 34, confided in her fellow campmates Danny Jones, Jane Moore and Tulisa while chatting about mental health.

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Oti with rarely-seen family members[/caption]

The professional dancer had listened to Danny speaking how he had been receiving therapy for years due to battles with anxiety.

In heartbreaking scenes, Oti then told the group how her brother had taken his own life in his late teens.

Praising Danny for speaking out, Oti said: “I think it’s really good that you keep saying people must talk, especially young boys.

“I don’t think young boys tend to talk that much and the suicide rate is so high in young men especially, so I think it’s important that you keep telling people to talk about it.”

She then continued: “I had a brother who committed suicide when he was 16 and I think, if he had spoken to someone about what he was feeling, it would’ve been a different turnout.”

Oti, who was born in Pretoria in South Africa, explained: “Especially in our culture, we don’t really open up.” 

The star found fame in the UK as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing.

Her sister, Motsi Mabuse, is now a judge on the BBC favourite.

Speaking about the grief her family are still faced with each day, she admitted: “Every year we celebrate his birthday, but it’s the people that are still left with the aftermath that feel it every single day and you have to go out in the world and be strong and happy and bubbly and positive. But it’s tough.

“So if you don’t talk about it, no matter how frustrating it is and if you don’t get those feelings out, if you don’t seek the help, it’s hurtful for you, as well as the people around you that love you.”

The group were clearly moved by Oti’s admission about her late brother.

N-Dubz star Tulisa tod her: “I think you’re amazing at that Oti.

“You go out everyday, your energy is so positive and so light. That’s like your superpower.”

Oti’s family, which also includes a second sister called Phemelo, lived in a township called Mabopane close to the capital, Pretoria.

The tragic tale about their older half-brother Neo first came to light in Motsi’s German autobiography Chili im Blut: Mein Tanz durchs Leben, which translates to Chilli In The Blood: My Dance Through Life.

“He killed himself with a poison,” she Motsi wrote.

She added: “Because the people of Africa are very religious and superstitious, something bad arose in our neighbourhood.

“With the suicide of Neo, our family was seen as one where there was a negative energy.”

Writing on X tonight fans expressed their sadness for Oti.

One penned: “oti is so sweet i didn’t know her before this but she seems so genuinely kind + good ”

Another added: “Oti is everything. Love her so much.”

And a third said: “Powerful viewing on #imaceleb tonight with Danny and Oti’s mental health talk. So important.”

• I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! continues each night at 9pm on ITV1/ ITVX

Rex