I’m A Celebrity star breaks down in tears as he walks out of jungle

One of the top stars on this year’s I’m A Celebrity has been reduced to tears as he walked out of the jungle due to personal reasons.

Hollywood star Frankie Muniz has become the first celebrity to voluntarily walk out of the South African jungle.

After three weeks on the gruelling Channel 10 reality series, the former teen star left camp due to personal reasons in emotional scenes on Sunday night’s episode.

On the eve of finals week, Muniz - who was one of the key talent headlining this season of the long-running show - hit breaking point as he dealt with feelings of guilt regarding his family, including wife Paige Price and their three-year-old son, Mauz Mosley.

“I had no idea what to expect coming in here,” he tearfully began.

“The weird part is, I’m not an emotional person because I’ve been so busy, I’m almost numb. But I’ve felt so many incredible feelings here with you guys.

“My current situation with my wife and son is… I’m guilty of not noticing what they do for me.

“Hearing my wife say that my son is sad that I don’t play trucks with him, I realise I’ve been home so many days, and when I’m home I’m not present. And I’m so ready to be present.”

He finished, “I’m a celebrity, get me out of here.”

Muniz with three-year-old son, Mauz Mosley.

And with wife Paige Price. Picture: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images/AFP

During his emotional goodbye, Muniz also paid homage to his fellow campmates, telling them he’d never laughed so much in his life.

The Malcolm in the Middle actor added he’d “changed” for the better as a person through the experience.

“You guys know me now – the real me,” he said.

“All I want to be known as is the best father, and best husband, and hopefully a good friend.”

Skye Wheatley was rocked by the departure of Muniz.

Brittany Hockley was in tears.

At the beginning of the episode, Muniz was overwhelmed with emotion after receiving a gushing letter from his wife, who wrote of how missed he was at home.

Speaking to producers in the toktokkie afterwards, Muniz said he was “mad” at himself for taking time with his loved ones for granted.

“Right now, there’s an excuse. But I get really mad at myself that when I was home with him, I was so pre-occupied,” he said.

“I missed his third birthday being here. I missed the first time he walked. The first time he talked. I missed all of that.

“I was working... Or thinking I was doing something I had to do.”

Muniz had been hinting in recent episodes that he wanted to be reunited with his wife, whom he married in 2020, after she went on a holiday without him.

“If I leave sooner than later, it might be better,” he said last week.

Muniz had earlier said he was missing home.

Muniz’s self reflection journey has no doubt taken him by surprise, with the star telling news.com.au prior to going in the jungle he was most likely to say “get me out of here” during the food challenges.

“I’m the pickiest eater on the planet,” he said at the time.

“Coming onto this, everyone’s like ‘What are your fears?’ I’m a little afraid of everything. Heights. I don’t want to get bitten by anything.

“But, I don’t really want to tell them my real ones because the truth is, if they put a strawberry on a plate, I’d tap out.”

Elsewhere, showbiz veteran Denise Drysdale was the first star to be eliminated from the jungle last week, followed by Candice Warner on Thursday night.

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! continues Monday at 7.30pm on Channel 10

Originally published as I’m A Celebrity star breaks down in tears as he walks out of jungle