Paul Burrell says he ‘wants to be there for all the dads struggling with their sexuality’

Paul Burrell has said he ‘wants to be there for all the dads struggling with their sexuality’ ahead of his appearance on I’m A Celeb All Stars in South Africa. 

The former butler to Princess Diana, 64, reflected on how much life has changed since he first appeared on the Australia version of the show in 2004.

In 2017 he came out and announced that he was to marry his partner Graham Cooper just nine months after divorcing his wife of 32 years, Maria. Him and Maria share two grown-up children.

Speaking about his original appearance on the show he explained: ‘I went into the jungle as Princess Diana’s former butler and I came out as Paul Burrell. 

‘From that point onwards, I realised I had to be me. Not long after that, my marriage disintegrated and I found a different path. 

Plans: Paul Burrell has said he ‘wants to be there for all the dads struggling with their sexuality’ ahead of his appearance on I’m A Celeb All Stars in South Africa

Love: In 2017 he came out and announced that he was to marry his partner Graham Cooper (pictured together) just nine months after divorcing his wife of 32 years, Maria

Love: In 2017 he came out and announced that he was to marry his partner Graham Cooper (pictured together) just nine months after divorcing his wife of 32 years, Maria

‘This time I want to be there for all the dads out there who are struggling with their sexuality 

‘It is going to be different because I am a different person now. I was a married guy with two kids and now 19 years on, I am a married man again but this time around, I have a husband. 

‘I have many more things to talk about in South Africa.’

He added: ‘I loved doing it the first time around and to be asked again is very special,’ says Paul. ‘It’s like coming into the final of the jungle Olympics. I had to eat kangaroo testicles in Australia and I am expecting everything to be bigger in South Africa. 

He went on to warn he will get very scared again if he faces another snake Trial in South Africa after his original facial expressions in Australia had millions of viewers in stitches. 

‘If I have to do the Hell Holes Trial again, then I know I am going to be really scared,’ predicted Paul. 

‘It’s such a weird thing to do wondering if whatever is in there is going to bite you or not. I will never get over the fear of the unknown’. 

Going on to describe just how much he loved being part of the Australian camp in 2004, Paul said gorging on testicles was like a visit to the dentist. 

Throwback: The former butler to Princess Diana, 64, reflected on how much life has changed since he first appeared on the Australia version of the show in 2004 (pictured)

Throwback: The former butler to Princess Diana, 64, reflected on how much life has changed since he first appeared on the Australia version of the show in 2004 (pictured)

Reflecting: Speaking about his original appearance on the show he explained: 'I went into the jungle as Princess Diana's former butler and I came out as Paul Burrell'

Reflecting: Speaking about his original appearance on the show he explained: ‘I went into the jungle as Princess Diana’s former butler and I came out as Paul Burrell’

Career: Paul was the former butler to Diana, Princess of Wales (pictured holding a painting of her)

Career: Paul was the former butler to Diana, Princess of Wales (pictured holding a painting of her)

‘The eating challenge is not as easy as people think.’ Paul added

‘You have to consume testicles, eyeballs and that’s not easy. Doing the eating Trial is like going to the dentist. It is over in three minutes. All you have to do is focus and get on with it.’ 

He revealed, however, his I’m A Celebrity experience did not cure him of any previous phobias. 

‘I still can’t swim’ he chuckled. ‘Deep water fills me with dread but there is nothing I won’t do in South Africa. I will have a go at everything.’ 

Thanks to I’m A Celebrity, Paul said he became famous for being himself rather than Princess Diana’s former butler. 

‘I left camp as Paul Burrell and I realised I had to just be me,’ he confided. 

‘I’m A Celebrity made me a household name and I can remember going to my local supermarket to get the groceries and being mobbed. 

‘I was floored next to the frozen peas! Now people are going to get a whole load of me all over again!’ 

Line up: Paul will join Helen Flanagan , 32, Carol Vorderman , 62, Amir Khan, 36, Janice Dickinson, 68, Jordan Banjo, 30, Shaun Ryder, 60, Fatima Whitbread, 62, and Phil Tufnell, 56, for the show

Line up: Paul will join Helen Flanagan , 32, Carol Vorderman , 62, Amir Khan, 36, Janice Dickinson, 68, Jordan Banjo, 30, Shaun Ryder, 60, Fatima Whitbread, 62, and Phil Tufnell, 56, for the show

Paul will join Helen Flanagan, 32, Carol Vorderman, 62, Amir Khan, 36, Janice Dickinson, 68, Jordan Banjo, 30, Shaun Ryder, 60, Fatima Whitbread, 62, and Phil Tufnell, 56, for the show.

The new series sees the return of some of the most memorable campmates from I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! in the brand new setting of South Africa.

The challenges will be bigger and tougher and the environment harsher and more unforgiving than the usual Australian jungle.

With no public vote, they will be competing against each other in a battle to become the first ever I’m A Celebrity Legend.

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk