Rapper Aitch has directly addressed the swirling speculation about a potential romance with his I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! campmate, Shona McGarty. The musician, who left the jungle earlier this week, has firmly stated that their connection was purely platonic and centred on a shared passion for music.
The Truth Behind the Jungle Chatter
Speaking after his exit, the 25-year-old clarified the nature of their relationship. Aitch explained he had not seen the edited show and was unaware of how their interactions had been portrayed, but was keen to set the record straight. "It was nothing like that," he stated, referring to the romantic rumours.
He described himself and the former EastEnders actress as being "cut from the same cloth" and sharing a similar sense of humour. However, he attributed the speculation largely to their ages and career paths. "Knowing that she's trying to come out of the jungle and pursue this music career - and me having a music career - it was just more like, there's only really me and Martin [Kemp] she can speak to about certain things," Aitch said.
He added with a hint of humour, "I think just because of my age, no one's going to say that she had a romance with Martin. So unfortunately, I'm the next option. So romantic? No, not at all. Not at all."
A Musical Bond and a Promise of Support
The core of their friendship, according to Aitch, was a mutual admiration for Shona's vocal talent and discussions about her future in music. He revealed that 95 per cent of their conversations were about her singing ability.
"I said to her: 'You sing like a madwoman, in a good way...you need to go pursue it. Stop being so scared to pursue it,'" he recounted, noting she would often get embarrassed after singing in camp. Aitch has promised to support her ambitions, saying, "Yes I definitely will [introduce her to contacts]. And that was what most of the conversations were about."
How the Rumours Began and Reactions
The speculation ignited after Aitch confessed to fellow camper 'Angry' Ginge that he had "a bit of a soft spot for Shona." This comment, caught on camera, prompted hosts Ant and Dec to express their hope for a jungle romance this series.
Dec admitted he was stunned when he saw the footage before broadcast, calling it a complete surprise. Ant chimed in, "It's been a while since we've had a proper romance on this show. We'd love to see it...we would celebrate it."
However, former campmate Ruby Wax previously suggested that Aitch wasn't Shona's usual type, quoting her as saying she prefers "hunky, bigger men."
Both stars entered the jungle single. Shona McGarty split from her musician fiancé, David Bracken, earlier this year, while Aitch had ended his relationship with Lois Cottam prior to the show. Sources described Shona's separation as amicable, with Bracken publicly supporting her jungle stint on social media.
