Anthony McPartlin Surprises 84-Year-Old Fan on I’m A Celeb Set — But What He Said About Her Late Husband Moved Everyone to Tears
Mabel has watched all 22 seasons of I’m A Celeb, never missing an episode. Her dream is to sit in the audience at one point. When she found out, Ant personally arranged a ride to the Australian set. But the most touching moment came when she shared that her husband Stan was also a huge fan — and Ant unexpectedly read a line from his handwritten letter to the show in 2004, something Mabel herself had never heard…
A Dream Fulfilled and a Memory Honored
In the lush, vibrant jungle of Australia, where I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary memories, a heartwarming story unfolded during the filming of its 23rd season in 2025. It was a moment that brought tears to the eyes of everyone present, centered around Mabel Harper, an 84-year-old lifelong fan, and a surprise orchestrated by Anthony McPartlin that no one saw coming.
Mabel, a sprightly widow from Newcastle, had watched every single episode of I’m A Celebrity since its debut in 2002. For 22 seasons, she sat in her cozy living room, cheering through Bushtucker Trials, laughing at camp banter, and marveling at the camaraderie between Ant and Dec. Her late husband, Stan, had been her partner in this ritual, the two of them sharing cups of tea and lively debates about who deserved the jungle crown. After Stan’s passing five years earlier, Mabel continued watching, finding comfort in the show that felt like an old friend. Her one dream, often whispered to her daughter, was to sit in the live audience, to feel the magic of the set she’d seen on screen for decades.
That dream seemed impossible—Australia was a world away, and Mabel’s modest pension couldn’t stretch to such a trip. But fate had other plans. During a fan event in Newcastle, Mabel’s daughter shared her mother’s story with a show producer, who passed it along to Ant and Dec. Touched by Mabel’s loyalty, Ant decided to make her dream come true. Without hesitation, he arranged a fully funded trip to the Australian set, complete with a private car to pick her up from her hotel. Mabel, unaware of the scale of the surprise, thought she was simply being invited to a local fan gathering.
When the car pulled up to her hotel, Mabel’s eyes widened. A cheerful driver handed her a note signed by Ant and Dec: “Mabel, pack your bags—we’re taking you to the jungle!” She clutched the note, her hands trembling with excitement, hardly believing it was real. The 24-hour journey to Australia was a blur of anticipation, with Mabel chatting endlessly about her favorite I’m A Celebrity moments, from Ant’s cheeky one-liners to Dec’s infectious laugh. When she arrived on set, the humid air and vibrant greenery felt like stepping into her television screen.
Ant greeted her personally, his warm smile putting her at ease. “Mabel, you’re our VIP tonight,” he said, guiding her to a prime seat in the audience, right near the iconic bridge where celebrities enter the camp. Mabel’s eyes sparkled as she took in the bustling crew, the cameras, and the familiar set she’d watched for years. The audience around her buzzed with excitement, but for Mabel, it was a dream unfolding in real time.
As the show’s taping began, Ant and Dec delivered their usual charm, introducing celebrities and cracking jokes. But midway through, Ant paused, turning to the audience. “Tonight, we’ve got someone very special with us,” he said, his voice soft but clear. “Mabel Harper, can you wave to everyone?” The spotlight found Mabel, and the crowd erupted in applause. She blushed, waving shyly, overwhelmed by the attention. Dec chimed in, “Mabel’s watched every single episode of this show—22 seasons! She’s the real jungle legend here.”
The audience laughed and cheered, but Ant’s expression turned serious. “Mabel, you told us something special when we met earlier,” he said. “You shared that your husband, Stan, was just as big a fan as you. You watched every episode together, didn’t you?” Mabel nodded, her eyes glistening. She had told Ant about Stan during a quiet moment before the show, reminiscing about how he’d mimic Ant’s Geordie accent and cheer during the trials. “Stan passed away a few years ago,” she said softly, her voice carrying over the microphone. “But watching this show makes me feel like he’s still with me.”
The crowd fell silent, hanging on her words. Then Ant reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. “Mabel,” he said, “what you don’t know is that Stan once wrote to us, back in 2004, during our fourth season.” Mabel’s breath caught—she had no idea Stan had ever contacted the show. Ant unfolded the paper, his voice steady but emotional. “He sent us a letter, and I want to read just one line from it, because it’s about you.” He paused, looking at Mabel. “Stan wrote, ‘My Mabel’s smile lights up our living room every night we watch your show. Thank you for giving us something to share.’”
The words hung in the air. Mabel’s hands flew to her face, tears streaming down her cheeks. She had never heard those words, never known Stan had written to the show. The audience, the crew, even Dec—whose eyes were misty—felt the weight of the moment. It wasn’t just a letter; it was a love story, preserved across decades, brought to life under the jungle stars. Ant stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on Mabel’s shoulder. “Mabel, Stan’s love for you was so clear in that letter. And tonight, we’re here to honor both of you.”
The crowd rose to their feet, applauding through tears. Mabel, overcome, whispered, “Thank you, Ant. Thank you for bringing him back to me.” Dec joined them, handing Mabel a small keepsake—a framed photo of the I’m A Celebrity set, engraved with her and Stan’s names. “This is so you always remember this night,” Dec said, his voice thick with emotion.
As the show continued, Mabel sat in her seat, clutching the frame, her heart full. The celebrities tackled their trials, but the real triumph was hers—a moment of connection that bridged past and present. When the taping ended, Ant and Dec spent extra time with her, sharing stories and laughing about Stan’s love for the show. Mabel felt like she was floating, her dream not just fulfilled but transformed into something deeper.
The story of Mabel’s night spread quickly, touching fans across the world. It wasn’t just about a fan meeting her idols—it was about love, loyalty, and the power of small gestures to heal. For Mabel, the jungle set became more than a TV stage; it was where she felt Stan’s presence again, through words she never knew he’d written. And for Ant, it was a reminder of why he and Dec do what they do—not just to entertain, but to touch lives.
As Mabel returned home, she placed the framed photo on her mantle, next to a picture of her and Stan. Each night, as she watched I’m A Celebrity, she smiled, knowing that somewhere, Stan was smiling too. In the jungle, under Ant’s kind gaze, Mabel’s dream had come true—and so had a love story that would live on forever.
