Declan Donnelly returns to work for first time since brother's death

Declan Donnelly beams with co-star Ant McPartlin while filming ‘skydiving’ scenes for new I’m A Celebrity advert – as host returns to work for the first time since the death of his brother Dermot

  • The presenter, 46, was left ‘beyond devastated’ last month after his ‘darling’ Roman Catholic priest brother Dermot Donnelly passed away aged 55 after collapsing in his Newcastle parish 
  • But Dec appeared to be healing from his family tragedy as he threw himself into his work while filming ‘skydiving’ scenes for a brand new I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! advert
  • It appeared ITV were pulling out all the stops for the new series as the duo were seen hooked up to harnesses and suspended by a wire as they simulated jumping out of a helicopter
  •  The ITV reality show is returning to the Australian jungle after it was held in Gwrych Castle in North Wales for the last two series due to travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic

Declan Donnelly was seen beaming alongside co-star Ant McPartlin this week as he was pictured back at work for the first time since the sudden death of his older brother Dermot.

The presenter, 46, was left ‘beyond devastated’ last month after his ‘darling’ Roman Catholic priest brother Dermot Donnelly passed away aged 55 after collapsing in his Newcastle parish.

But Dec appeared to be healing from his family tragedy as he threw himself into his work while filming ‘skydiving’ scenes for a brand new I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! advert.


Back at it: Declan Donnelly was seen beaming alongside co-star Ant McPartlin this week as he was pictured back at work for the first time since the sudden death of his older brother Dermot

The ITV reality show is returning to the Australian jungle after it was held in Gwrych Castle in North Wales for the last two series due to travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

With the show rumoured to hit screens on November 13, Ant and Dec got to work with filming the promos.

And it appeared ITV were pulling out all the stops for the new series as the duo were seen hooked up to harnesses and suspended by a wire as they simulated jumping out of a helicopter. 

Proving that they were not afraid to do their own stunts, Ant and Dec were seen dangling in the air with a wind machine blowing at them, while crew members maneuvered the ropes holding them up.

Hanging in there: Dec appeared to be healing from his family tragedy as he threw himself into his work while filming ‘skydiving’ scenes for a brand new I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! advert

So sad: The presenter, 46, was left ‘beyond devastated’ last month after his ‘darling’ Roman Catholic priest brother Dermot Donnelly passed away aged 55 after collapsing in his Newcastle parish (Father Dermott pictured in 2015)

At one point, Dec was seen with his eyes squeezed shut as camera crews captured the moment, with the scenes filmed in front of green screens. 

The pair were also seen in a black helicopter filming further scenes for the advert, with a lighting umbrella seen in front of the windshield.

Highlighting the show’s return down under, a cooler box full of ‘Kangaroo testicles’ could also be seen suspended by wire, indicating  that I’m A Celebrity’s gruesome bushtucker trials are well and truly back. 

Work duties: Dec was suspended in mid air as he put on a brave face and filmed ‘skydiving’ scenes weeks after laying his brother to rest

Return: The ITV reality show is returning to the Australian jungle after it was held in Gwrych Castle in North Wales for the last two series due to travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic


Having fun? It appeared ITV were pulling out all the stops for the new series as the duo were seen hooked up to harnesses and suspended by a wire as they simulated jumping out of a helicopter

Go for it! With the show thought to hit screens on November 13, Ant and Dec got to work with filming the promos

Ant and Dec appeared in good spirits during the shoot, with the pair seen laughing and joking with the crew between scenes.

Dec’s smiles comes after the pair attended Father Dermot’s funeral last month, with Dec telling mourners at a service that his family ‘can’t believe he’s gone’.

Catholic priest Father Dermott Donnelly was laid to rest following an emotional requiem mass at Newcastle’s St Mary’s Cathedral, where he once served as Dean. Hundreds gathered at the church, with more than 2,000 watching the service on a livestream.

Feeling queasy? At one point, Dec was seen with his eyes squeezed shut as camera crews captured the moment, with the scenes filmed in front of green screens



Tight fit, lads? Dec and Ant were seen hilariously trying to adjust their tight harnesses in between takes 


Beaming: Dec certainly appeared to be in a jovial mood on set

TV duties: Ant and Dec sat in the back of the helicopter as they waited between takes


Incoming: Highlighting the show’s return down under, a cooler box full of ‘Kangaroo testicles’ could also be seen suspended by wire, indicating that I’m A Celebrity’s gruesome bushtucker trials are well and truly back

Dec helped carry his brother’s coffin into the cathedral, while his best friend Ant arrived separately. The pair hugged outside after the service, and there was applause from the mourners as the hearse pulled away.

Father Dermott is believed to have died from a bleed on the brain after suffering headaches in the days leading up to his death on July 8. 

Meanwhile, while Dec gets back to work filming content for I’m A Celebrity, he and Ant will be busy once more as a new spin-off series is also set to hit the screens. 

And Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan is the latest personality tipped to be joining the upcoming All Stars.

Ready to fly: The pair were also seen in a black helicopter filming further scenes for the advert, with a lighting umbrella seen in front of the windshield


Something funny? Ant burst into laughter as he sat in the back with Dec

Hang tough: Ant was seen dangling in the air as he filmed for the show 

And down again: He then crash landed on a safety mat with a big smile on his face

Oh dear: Dec didn’t appear to thrilled by the exercise



Specialists: Staff at Skydiving London were on hand to ensure everything went smoothly

Relief: Ant puffed away on his vape while his pal appeared thrilled to be rid of his harness

Brighter days: Ant and Dec appeared in good spirits during the shoot, with the pair seen laughing and joking with the crew between scenes

Homecoming: I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! will return to Australia after two years of filming in Wales (hosts Ant and Dec pictured in 2019)

According to The Sun, the 32-year-old actress is set to make her return to the hit series, exactly ten years after her first stint on the show. 

A source told the publication: ‘It has taken months of negotiations because it is a big decision to spend so long away from her young children but she has finally come around to the idea.’

‘Helen is an absolute catch for ITV and they are thrilled she is finally on board.’ 

Tragic: Dec’s smiles comes after the pair attended Father Dermot’s funeral last month, with Dec telling mourners at a service that his family ‘can’t believe he’s gone’

Funeral: Dec helped carry his brother’s coffin into the cathedral, while his best friend Ant arrived separately 

They added: ‘She was brilliant telly back in 2012 and is bound to be just as entertaining this time around — especially if she gets voted into doing the trials again.’ 

The all-star spin off show is set to run alongside the normal series of the show in 2023, with Myleene Klass and Paul Burrell reportedly in the returning line-up.

While You Are What You Eat star Gillian McKeith, 62, Diversity’s Jordan Banjo, Countdown’s Carol Vorderman, 61, and soap star Dean Gaffney, 44, are also thought to be heading in.

The new season of the hit show will be filmed in South Africa. 

Busy time: Meanwhile, while Dec gets back to work filming content for I’m A Celebrity, he and Ant will be busy once more as a new spin-off series is also set to hit the screens 

Source: Read Full Article

Previous post The Internet's Favorite Candle Company Just Launched at Sephora
Next post Artemis: AI shines a light on the Moon’s permanently shadowed regions