Reality TV

EXCLUSIVE: I’m A Celeb’s Jack Vidgen gets candid about his dad’s health battle and how it affected their relationship

''It’s a work in progress.''
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Stepping onto the Australia’s Got Talent stage, 14-year-old Jack Vidgen had no clue that his life was about to change forever. But after his performance of Whitney Houston’s I Have Nothing went viral, Jack became a household name, going on to win the series.

Now, nine years later, Jack has released his own music, appeared on The Voice and competed in Eurovision – Australia Decides.

But although Jack grew up in the spotlight, his family were fighting a painful battle in the shadows: his father’s diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

“One of the biggest challenges has been my dad’s illness and how it’s affected our relationship,” Jack, 23, tells TV WEEK.

“It’s a work in progress, but it has definitely been super-challenging dealing with it.”

Jack’s chosen the Trish MS Research Foundation as his I’m A Celeb charity.

(Channel Ten)

When invited to participate in I’m A Celebrity, Jack jumped at the opportunity, knowing exactly which charity he’d support.

“I chose the Trish MS Research Foundation because of my personal connection,” Jack says. “I’ve always felt so helpless with my dad’s illness. It feels good that it can be my charity.”

Leaving behind his comfortable life in Sydney, Jack is eager to test himself on the show, which is being filmed in the wilds of northern NSW.

“I’m scared of everything,” Jack confesses. “I love coffees and breakfast with friends, facials and pampering, so this is literally the other extreme!”

Admitting that the weirdest thing he’s eaten to date is an oyster, Jack knows that he’ll struggle in the eating challenges, but he’s determined to give it his all.

“I’ve decided to do and try everything,” he declares. “I’m going to push myself to the limit!”

Jack got candid about his much talked about cosmetic surgery during the show.

(Channel Ten)

In a frank chat on screen with fellow camper Pettifleur Berenger, the 23-year-old popstar bared all on the truth about the cosmetic work he’s had done to his face, and refreshingly, fans now have an insight into why the young talent decided to do it all in the first place.

“You look so different in real life. So much more gorgeous,” the Real Housewives star muses.

“I’ve lost like 10kgs,” Jack replies, “And I’ve had heaps of filler.”

He continues to explain: “I didn’t have any lips, I used to try all sorts of things – fillers in the cheeks, fillers in the jaw, fillers in the nose, everything.”

Clearly surprised, Pettifleur asks him, “Fillers in the cheeks!? Who talked you into doing that?”

Jack simply says: “Nobody, just myself.”

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