I'm A Celeb's Maura Higgins 'couldn't breathe' after 'horrendous' call from dad after Love Island

I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here's newest contestant, Maura Higgins, has previously opened up about her struggles with mental health after appearing on Love Island in 2019.

The 33-year-old Irish TV personality and model, who rose to fame as a surprise bombshell contestant on the reality dating show, has spoken candidly about the difficulties she faced after being thrust into the public eye.

In an interview on Paul C Brunson's podcast, Maura revealed that she struggled to cope with the pressures of fame, feeling isolated and alone as she navigated her new career, reports OK!. She confessed to having a breakdown and experiencing dark thoughts, saying: ""Life after Love Island was a very hard time in my life... I was just dropped to the UK.

"It was like someone just picked me up, dropped me to the UK and I was in the public eye. I had nowhere to live. I had no friends, no family, nobody I could trust.

"I had a breakdown. I had dark thoughts, very dark thoughts... And it got to a stage where I don't even think I told my mam. I tell my mum everything. I didn't tell her how bad it was... I didn't want to be here anymore. I thought that was going to be the best thing."

The pressures of life outside the villa weren't just about fame and fortune for Maura as she opened up about her deteriorating relationship with her father post-show.

Maura candidly expressed how her dad had been absent during her younger years, with their bond further strained by her parents' divorce. After a particularly 'horrendous' phone call, they stopped speaking altogether.

Discussing the breakdown in communication with her father, she shared: "It's kind of weird. We haven't spoken in a few years now. My dad spoke to me not very nice. I'm not saying it was just a bit of an argument. It was horrendous where I physically couldn't breathe after the phone call."

Continuing to reflect upon her family ties, she admitted: "I thought to myself, 'I wouldn't let a partner talk to me like that. I wouldn't let a friend talk to me like that. I'm not going to let my dad talk to me like that.' But also, I think if I dig deep, I don't think I've ever forgiven my dad for not being there for me when my best friend passed away. And he wasn't there for me."

As Maura prepares to enter the I'm A Celeb jungle presenters Ant and Dec have hinted that she'll be tasked with a special challenge upon her arrival.

I'm A Celebrity continues tonight at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX