Dale Thomas reveals ‘stupid’ mistake he made on I’m A Celeb
After a near-victorious stint in the jungle, Dale Thomas has now reflected and labelled the experience a life-changing one. But his I’m A Celeb run wasn’t without regret — even calling one decision straight-up ‘stupid’.
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Dale ‘Daisy’ Thomas has been fast to reflect on his 30 days in the jungle — and labelled the experience a life-changing one.
Speaking after he placed second to winner Miguel Maestre on I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!, the former AFL star said he now had a clear vision for the future, months after stepping away from footy.
“I’ve really used the jungle as a big full stop on the professional and personal part of my life,’’ he said from South Africa.
“It’s time to think that you rarely get these days. Leaving it, you come out with some real clarity.
“It was one of the most amazing experiences, one of the hardest things, but a once in a lifetime opportunity and that’s what it will be. Once.”
Thomas, who confronted his fear of snakes, also opened up about his footy career and traumatic childhood. He said he stayed true to himself.
“I was stupid enough to tell them I had a fear of snakes — next time I’ll say I hate steak and chips,’’ he said.
“In previous seasons you’d see people do the tucker trials and you’d think, ‘oh yeah I can do that’, but some of those things genuinely smell like a bucket of poo.”
Thomas said he underestimated how hard it would be not having communication with his partner Natasha, daughter Tilly, mum and sister.
“It was just the boredom and you do get really, really hungry,’’ he said.
“Beans and rice are the genuine pits. I said I’d go in and would be myself. I did love every second.”
Thomas said he got on with “99 per cent” of campmates but bonded most with Rhonda Burchmore and Billy Brownless.
He said they had no idea that Brownless’ father had passed away while they were in the jungle.
“I only found out when Tash told me,’’ Thomas said.
“I don’t think he knew either. Poor Billy he’s had a rough trot. He was so calm and would sit back and just watch everything unfold. ‘Jelly Bob’ as I liked to call him, was great.
“And Rhonda and I worked out we live 3km away from each other.
“We shared a lot of stories and gasses.”