Channel Ten has come under fire in the wake of Bernard Tomic’s dramatic exit from I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here on Tuesday night.
And the show’s executive producer Stephen Tate has brushed of criticisms, claiming the controversial tennis star, 25, is ‘not as troubled’ as it may appear and underwent ‘full psychological testing’ before entering the South African jungle.
‘He’s not as troubled as you might think, he’s actually quite clear in what he wants,’ the Channel Ten producer told the Kyle and Jackie O show on Wednesday.
‘He’s not as troubled as you might think’: Channel Ten has responded to criticism for casting a ‘depressed’ Bernard Tomic on I’m A Celebrity and insists the tennis star underwent ‘full psychological testing’ before entering the South African jungle
‘Regrading his ‘depression,’ he said he was ‘depressed’ in the jungle… he had full psych testing before he went in – the psychologist saw him again when he arrived in South Africa.
He continued: ‘I saw him right before he went into the jungle and he had his eye on the prize [and was] talking about winning it, but I don’t think he understood the reality of the social deprivation that you have in there.’
After Bernard became the first-ever Australian contestant to quit the hit reality show, Channel Ten was criticised for casting him in the first place however Stephen insists the decision was carefully thought out.
Dramatic exit: During Tuesday’s episode, viewers saw show producers speaking with Bernard prior to his exit
‘He couldn’t be in a safer place, you’ve got 24 hour psych and medical care when you’re with us and you’re also monitored constantly,’ he said.
‘Really it’s actually isolation that’s the real danger when it comes to mental health, he couldn’t have had more people around him to take care of that.
He added: ‘He told us that he went in there because he wanted people to understand who he is… I think he’s shown a bit of humanity and humility, he didn’t talk about his money and actually engaged with the other celebrities.’
And he’s off! Within minutes, the downcast star made his way to a waiting vehicle and left the jungle
It comes after adolescent psychologist Dr Carr-Gregg said Bernard’s behaviour during the first episode indicated that producers shouldn’t have cast the sportsman- regardless of his star power.
‘He appeared to me to be in a very low mood. I wouldn’t go so far as to say he was clinically depressed but I would say he didn’t seem to me to be in a psychological state to be put through what he was put through,’ he told News Corp.
‘I question the wisdom of having someone who’s so young — he’s only 25 — and whether or not he’s in a good psychological space. ‘I would question the wisdom of the producers of putting someone in that scenario who is not 100 per cent.’
He later added: ‘Being there in the first place is really wrong.’
‘Being there in the first place is really wrong’: Adolescent psychologist Dr Carr-Gregg has slammed Channel 10 for casting ‘depressed’ Bernard Tomic in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
‘He appeared to me to be in a very low mood’: He told News Corp that Bernard’s behaviour during the first episode indicated that producers shouldn’t have cast the sportsman- regardless of his star power
‘Half the time during the day I’m just depressed’: During the first episode, Bernard was filmed speaking to his co-star Housewife Jackie Gillies about how he was feeling ‘depressed’
During the first episode, Bernard was filmed speaking to his co-star The Real Housewives’ Jackie Gillies about how he was feeling ‘depressed’.
‘Half the time during the day I’m just depressed. I’ve never really had time to think about my thoughts,’ he said.
‘I always have people around, my mobile phone, my life is so fast paced.’
He’s out of there! The revelation comes just one day after Bernard ‘quit’ during a particularly difficult Tucker Trial
The revelation comes just one day after Bernard ‘quit’ during a particularly difficult Tucker Trial.
Earlier this week, tennis legend Jelena Dokic published a bizarre opinion piece in the Herald Sun criticising Bernard Tomic for appearing on the new season of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
The 34-year-old plays armchair psychologist in the article, claiming that Bernard ‘needs help’ and that appearing on the Channel Ten reality series is ‘not the solution’ to the 25-year-old’s issues.
If you or anyone around you are struggling and/or seeking support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
‘I don’t know where he is at mentally, but he needs some help’: Earlier this week, tennis legend Jelena Dokic published a bizarre opinion piece in the Herald Sun criticising Bernard Tomic for appearing on the new season of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!