Dean McCullough's mum demands I'm A Celeb showdown with Ant McPartlin

Dean McCullough's mum has landed in Australia and immediately sought a conversation with I'm A Celebrity host Ant McPartlin. She staunchly defended her son against ongoing jibes, asserting: "There is nothing false about him".

His mum, Ann, flew into Brisbane to support her son on the show. Dean has faced criticism from show hosts Ant and Dec over his trial attempts. However, she insisted his screams are genuine and he is doing his utmost.

"We are seeing the real Dean. He is just being himself....he just gets on with it," she added. Ant had repeatedly expressed his annoyance about Dean during the series.

In an Instagram Live video with fans, Dec even suggested there was a "bit of a debate" backstage as to whether Dean's terrified response was authentic. But Ann said: "I think Ant's been a wee bit hard on him. I'm gonna have to have a wee word with Ant about that, maybe later.

"He has been game for anything. "He's just been himself, and we're all so, so proud."

She also spoke about the stress of being chosen six times for trials saying it's been "awful" but that it meant that viewers loved him. She said: "It's been awful. Every time he has been picked again, it's been 'oh my god.' Do you know what, he's a team player, he loves it and does his best."

When asked about the reason behind her mate consistently being chosen for trials, she shared: "I think it's because everyone wants to see him, he's good to look at, he is great fun, and he is enjoying every single minute of it."

"People want to see him doing the challenges as he is such a funny bloke. It's hard to watch, but he is getting on with it. I told him that there is nothing in that jungle that is going to kill you."

Recounting his past request to opt out of trials, which didn't sit well with Ant and Dec, Ann commented: "These were the moments that I was hiding behind a cushion, with me and the two dogs. I was like 'please don't say the words, please don't say the words.' But he gave it a really good go."

Ann also touched upon Dean's run-in with Alan Halsall, remarking: "He didn't give him much time to wake up did he? Maybe in a couple of seconds, he would have been grand to go and help Jane."

She then confessed that Dean had been quite awestruck by Coleen, saying: "He loves everyone, he is such a team player...but he has been very starstruck with Coleen especially...they are all getting on so well."

Upon his return from the jungle, Ann expressed her eagerness to greet him: "I can't wait to check him from head to toe for tics, and for everything, to make sure he is ok, and give him one big hug."