Jess Glynne has revealed the heartbreaking reason she wasn't able to fly out to Australia in support of girlfriend Alex Scott.
The former Arsenal and Lionesses star Scott became the first contestant to be evicted from the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! camp last night (28 November), with fans confused after the 41-year-old was greeted by a friend Regan Coleman on the famous bridge instead of partner Glynne.
Scott described Coleman as her best friend in her 2022 book How (Not) To Be Strong, and wrote about being hugged by Coleman for the first time after her father discouraged physical contact at home.
She said: "I didn't know how to hug because we grew up in an environment where we weren't allowed to show love."
Scott had spoken highly of her relationship with the 'Hold My Hand' hitmaker during her time in the jungle, talking about missing Glynne's cooking and even revealing that she expected to marry the singer at some point in the future.
"I will get married to her [Jess], I'm just waiting for her to ask! I know my forever is with her," the 41-year-old told campmates.
Alex was greeted by a friend when leaving the jungle (ITV) Alex Scott was greeted by friend Regan Coleman (ITV) So why was the 36-year-old absent from Australia when Scott was evicted?
Taking to Instagram Stories after Scott's elimination was confirmed, Glynne said she was 'unbelievably proud' of her partner but wasn't able fly out to Australia due to a medical emergency in her family.
"I know people will wonder why I wasn’t there at the end of the bridge, so I wanted to share something personal," she wrote.
"Over the last few weeks, my mum suffered a stroke and needed urgent brain surgery. It’s been a really serious, life-altering time for my family, and I’ve had to stay close to home."
The singer explained her absence from Alex's eviction on Instagram (Instagram/Jess Glynne) Glynne went on to write that her partner would understand the decision, adding: "Alex would always want me to be where I’m needed most.
"I can’t wait to have her back by my side."
The singer also addressed Scott being the first celebrity to be kicked out of camp after two weeks, writing: "My woman might be out far earlier than she ever deserved, but I’m so unbelievably proud of her.
"She didn’t get the airtime to show how incredible she really is, and trust me, this is only the beginning."
The couple have been dating for two years (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images) Glynne previously addressed marriage comments made by Scott during an interview with The Morning, suggesting that an engagement may very well be on the cards in the future.
When grilled by host Alison Hammond over whether or not she'd purchased a ring, Glynne replied: "Yeah... No. The pressure! Why do I have to ask her? It's a weird one, innit, I mean, you never know who will ask who but..."
She was also quizzed about the moment during an interview on Hits Radio, jokingly telling presenter Tom Green that she 'went to the shop straight after' seeing the conversation.