Alex Scott has shared a deeply emotional message with fans as she prepares to board a flight home to be with her partner, singer Jess Glynne, after a devastating family emergency. The former England footballer and television presenter, now 41, had entered this year’s season of I’m A Celebrity with excitement and determination, but events behind the scenes took a heartbreaking turn when Jess’s mother, Alexandra, suffered a serious stroke and required emergency surgery. The crisis meant that Alex would miss the grand finale and the wrap party, but the decision to leave early was one she knew she had to make.
Alex, the first contestant eliminated from the jungle this season, posted a heartfelt message on Instagram shortly after her departure aired. In the photo she shared, her expression was equal parts gratitude and sorrow, reflecting the emotional turmoil of the past few weeks. She thanked her fellow campmates for their unwavering support and kindness, emphasizing that they had been a daily source of strength for her during some of her hardest moments. Alex expressed immense appreciation for ITV as well, acknowledging the network’s efforts to help her navigate the extremely delicate situation and return home to Jess as quickly as possible.
Her message read: “The jungle was the most incredible, special experience, I will never forget!! Thank you to my wonderful camp mates who supported me every day & saw the real me, not an edited version. Thank you to ITV for even getting me through this process & getting me back to Jessica to be by her side during what is a difficult time.” She added that she and Jess had felt the outpouring of love from fans across the world. “We have both seen all the love and support and it means the world. The universe spoke and it’s getting me home asap and I couldn’t be more grateful for that.”
Back home in the UK, Jess, aged 36, had been unable to travel to Australia because she needed to remain close to her mother following the sudden medical emergency. She posted her own message online, sharing a photo of herself wearing a T-shirt that read “Alex for the win!” along with a picture of Alex’s smiling face printed across the front. Even though Alex had been voted out first, Jess insisted she would always consider her a winner. “Forever a winner! She walked in that jungle and was nothing but herself from start to finish. We see you, we saw you and we love you! I can’t wait to have you home my woman,” Jess wrote, a message overflowing with love, pride, and relief that Alex was finally returning.
Jess’s mother had suffered the stroke shortly before Alex’s departure for Australia, and as the medical situation unfolded, Alex found herself torn between the extraordinary opportunity of participating in I’m A Celebrity and her instinct to stay at Jess’s side. Alex revealed that she had almost quit the show ahead of her elimination but ultimately stayed because Jess insisted she go through with it — for Alexandra. Jess had reportedly been the one who encouraged Alex to accept the offer in the first place, believing her mother would want her to seize the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
During her emotional interview on ITV2’s Unpacked, Alex explained how the situation weighed on her throughout her time in the jungle. “It’s been a hard couple of months,” she admitted, her voice shaking. She described how honored she felt to have been invited to participate in the series and repeated that Jess had been the first to encourage her. “Jess was the first one… she was like, ‘I want you to go on the show and do it for my mum.’”
Alex also shared that she had prepared herself for the possibility that Jess would not meet her on the iconic jungle bridge upon her exit, if her mother’s condition worsened. When she crossed the bridge and did not see Jess waiting, she immediately understood that something was wrong. Instead, she was greeted by her best friend, Regan Coleman, who had flown in to support her. Even so, Alex admitted she felt a deep pang of worry and heartbreak.
She continued: “I want to be here for the wrap party, but I have to get home straight away. She’s my Jessica, and I’m going home to be her rock, because she’s been my cheerleader all through this.” Alex said that her campmates had been aware of her emotional struggle and had supported her quietly but consistently throughout her time in the jungle. She also stressed how grateful she was for that support, both from the cast and the production team.
Earlier, speaking to The Sun on Sunday, Alex broke down as she discussed how difficult it had been to enter the jungle at a time when Jess’s family was facing such severe hardship. “It’s been a tough time for us and obviously her family, and it was a tough decision to come into the jungle. But then Jess never wanted me to step away from not doing it,” she said, explaining that Jess had been insistent that she pursue the experience despite the emotional weight they were both carrying.
Alex knew from the beginning that there was a real possibility Jess would not be at the end of the bridge, especially if her mother’s condition deteriorated or if the recovery process became more complicated. “I knew there was always a possibility of her not being across the bridge if her mum hadn’t got better, or if things had been getting worse, which they have been,” Alex admitted. The uncertainty had been constant, gnawing at her even as she tried to remain present in camp.
And yet, despite the emotional burden and the lack of sleep, the former footballer spoke with pride about her time in the jungle. She described the experience as transformative and unforgettable, highlighting how her campmates had seen her true personality — not the version edited for television or misinterpreted by public opinion but the real, unfiltered Alex. Many fans have praised her authenticity, kindness, and resilience throughout her short time on the show.
Back in the UK, Jess shared more about her situation for the first time in a candid social media update of her own. She described the previous weeks as a “really serious, life-altering time” for her family, emphasizing that she had needed to remain close to home to support her mother and navigate the emotional upheaval. Jess expressed her excitement to finally reunite with Alex and said, “I can’t wait to have her back by my side.”
As Alex boards her flight home, the I’m A Celebrity community has sent waves of love and support her way. Fans have praised her strength, her decision to stay as long as she did, and her devotion to Jess and her family. Though she will miss the finale and the celebrations, Alex’s priority is where she has always said it would be: at home, with Jess, ready to be her anchor during one of the most challenging chapters of their lives.
