I’m A Celeb’s Frankie Dettori reveals he learned English by watching EastEnders after moving to the UK alone at 14 to become a jockey

•  READ MORE: I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! full line-up REVEALED

I’m A Celeb’s Frankie Dettori has revealed how he learned English by watching BBC soap EastEnders after moving to the UK alone aged just 14.

The Italian sporting legend, 52, made the revelation during Friday’s episode and admitted how his time away from home left him so homesick he’d ‘cry every night’.

Frankie recalled: ‘I said, ‘Dad, I’m going to be a jockey’ He said, ‘Right, if you’re going to be a jockey, I want you to take it serious, so I’m going to send you for six months in England, six months in France”.  

‘I stayed in a bed and breakfast. It was hard. I was homesick, cry every night. About three months [I cried]. Not always. I learned the phrase, ‘What is this?’. 

He then explained Danielle Harold, who played Lola Pearce in the soap, how he brushed up on his English by watching the goings on in Walford. 

Brushing up his skills: I’m A Celeb ‘s Frankie Dettori, 52, has revealed how he learned English by watching BBC soap EastEnders after moving to the UK alone aged just 14

Icon: The Italian sporting legend made the revelation during Thursday’s episode and admitted how his time away from home left him so homesick he’d ‘cry every night’ (Pam St Clement pictured as Pat Butcher on EastEnders in 1995)

Danielle replied: ‘Do you know how many people say to me, ‘I learned English watching EastEnders’. It’s probably the worst place to learn’.

Frankie, who now lives in England, has a career spanning over 35 years.

He has been British flat racing Champion Jockey three times and has ridden the winners of 287 Group 1 races including 23 winners of the British Classic Races.

It comes after Frankie  arrived alongside former professional boxer Tony Bellew, 40, and was met with the other celebrities during their first trial on Thursday night.

And as they settled into camp life, Frankie was not one to shy away from chatting about his work life on his first night as he revealed why he didn’t retire when he first announced it to the world.

In a conversation with Jamie Lynn Spears, Frankie explained that he found it ‘too hard to walk away from winning’, which made him decide to continue working.

Washing up at the creek in main camp, Jamie Lynn asked Frankie: ‘So you have obviously won a lot of races, how does that feel when you’re out there? How much is it your control that makes it.. is it different when you have a great one [horse]?’

Frankie explained: ‘Of course, like in any sport, when you’re at top level the margins are so small. It’s a bit like formula 1. Why is one driver faster than the other when they’ve got the same cars?’

Honest:’I stayed in a bed and breakfast. It was hard. I was homesick, cry every night. About three months [I cried]. Not always. I learned the phrase, ‘What is this’

TV fan: He then explained Danielle Harold (pictured) who played Lola Pearce in the soap, how he brushed up on his English by watching the goings on in Walford

Not too sure: Danielle replied: ‘Do you know how many people say to me, ‘I learned English watching EastEnders’. It’s probably the worst place to learn’ (Danielle pictured on the soap)

Throwback: A young Frankie pictured in 1990

Jamie Lynn said: ‘Just that one little edge they have.’

Frankie said: ‘I was born in racing, my dad was a jockey. I was practically born on a horse really. Then I had good teachers… the rest is history.’

Admitting he changed his mind about retiring, Frankie explained: ‘I got to the beginning of the season, I thought I’m 52, I’ve had a great life riding, and I’m on the top at the moment.

‘I might as well stop at the top. So I announced: ‘Right, this is my last year, going to say my last goodbyes.’ Announced it to the world, went to California for four months, smashed it, did really well. 

Champion: Frankie has been British flat racing Champion Jockey three times and has ridden the winners of 287 Group 1 races including 23 winners of the British Classic Races

‘Then I came back to England, kept on winning, kept on winning… and I got to August, the season stops in October and I thought, ‘I don’t really want to retire!”

He added: ‘You’re winning, the crowd is shouting your name.’

Jamie Lynn agreed: ‘It’s hard to walk away from that, right?’

She added in the Bush Telegraph: ‘He’s been a disciplined athlete since he was born. That’s someone you want on your side.’

I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! continues on Saturday at 9:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX. 

I’m A Celebrity 2023: Meet the campmates

NIGEL FARAGE

Claim to fame: Former leader of the UK Independence Party  and leader of the Brexit Party.

Phobias: Nobody likes rats, snakes and I am dreading anything to do with heights.

Biggest misconception you want to dispel?: I have been demonised over the years and so it will be nice to show people I am not nasty. 

Role in camp: Lead on starting up plenty of campfire discussions. 

Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp?: A pint in the pub and the news. 

Best & worst attributes: I hope to cheer people up when they are down. Worst? I am impatient and I do snore. 

Dream camper: As a controversial political media figure, I never name names… But I am looking forward to meeting interesting people from all different fields 

DANIELLE HAROLD

Claim to fame: EastEnders actress.

Phobias: Rats. I hate them! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I can be a little ditzy at times but I am definitely not a ‘dumb blonde’. I want to show I can do the trials, challenges and get stuck in. 

Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on, help others if they are feeling low in camp. 

Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Snacking. I am a little muncher and I am going to miss my morning cup of tea, too! 

Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I will be good if people are really struggling. I am not, however, very good at being bored, nor am I a morning person either. 

Dream camper: Ed Sheeran. If he brings his guitar into camp, he can sing for us.

FRED SIRIEIX

Claim to fame: First Dates star.

Phobias: I am scared of everything. I am dying to find out how vile the food will be! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I don’t think there is anything but I am looking forward to learning more about myself during my time in the camp. 

Role in camp: I will definitely muck in with all the jobs. I don’t mind cooking or cleaning the toilets. 

Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My bed. It’s super comfy. I will also miss a cup of coffee in the morning. 

Best & worst attributes: I like to have fun but I do snore and I am impatient! 

Dream camper: It’s going to be nice to meet everyone but I’d love to see Dolly Parton, The Rock or Snoop Dog in there.

NELLA ROSE

Claim to fame: YouTuber and Catfish UK star. 

Phobias: I am fearful of everything! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle? I am a pretty open book. 

Role in camp: Keep the morale and humour high.

Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My phone… I am always on it! 

Dream camper: Alison Hammond or Adele. 

NICK PICKARD

Claim to fame: Hollyoaks star. 

Phobias: I am a bit scared of the dark. When you go to the House of Horrors at Halloween and things jump out at you, I am not very good when I can’t see! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: It will be nice to go in as me and not as my Hollyoaks character. 

Role in camp: Grafter or chef, I am quite good at cooking. But I’ve never cooked on a fire before. Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp: Football and my creature comforts. 

Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am a nice person and a good team player. I am not lazy but I do have a few bad habits like picking my nose. My girlfriend has been trying to train me to stop! 

Dream camper: Sir Alex Ferguson or Neil Warnock. 

FRANKIE DETTORI

Claim to fame: Champion Jockey

Phobias: I am not sure as I don’t walk across rooftop planks in the middle of the day nor do I have any snakes or rats in the house!

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: None. I’ve lived in the public domain for as long as I can remember so I’d hope everyone knows me well.

Role in camp: To have fun with everyone, I am a happy-go- lucky person.

Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? Travelling. I have spent my whole life at airports and I’ve got to like it!

Best & worst attributes: I am outgoing and I am a fighter. Worst? I can’t sit still and I am impatient.

Dream camper: Robbie Williams would be fun.

JAMIE LYNN SPEARS

Claim to fame: Zoey 101 and Sweet Magnolias star.

 Phobias: I am scared of everything.

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I think this is a nice chance to show who I really am.

Role in camp: Hopefully I will be the one who can support everyone. 

Aside from family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? A normal bathroom, air conditioning and my bed. 

Best & worst attributes: I think my best quality is it takes a lot to hurt my feelings; but I am impatient and my family would say I get in a bad mood a lot. 

Dream camper: Nicole Kidman, she is my favourite actress in the whole wide world, or Reece Witherspoon.

SAM THOMPSON

Claim to fame: Made In Chelsea star and radio presenter. 

Phobias: I am not a creepy crawly guy and I hate anyone or anything touching my neck. 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: Since the age of 21, I’ve spent my whole life on TV and so I feel whether people have a good or bad opinion of me, it’s probably warranted!

Role in camp: I’m a ‘yes’ man so cooking, cleaning I will do whatever they want me to do. 

Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: I know this sounds lame but gaming. 

Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am the court jester and I don’t take things too seriously, so if anyone is having a bad day I would like to put a smile on their face. Worst? I am quite forgetful and I am bad at focusing on things. 

Dream camper: Stephen Fry. I think I would self-combust if he was going in the jungle! 

JOSIE GIBSON

Claim to fame: This Morning presenter.

Phobias: Insects and I freeze every time I see a spider and I am not sure what I am going to do if I am in a trial with them! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I would like people to know I am very clever at knowing useless information! 

Role in camp: Mum. I am very motherly and I also love chatting to people. 

Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Getting up to blow dry my hair and putting a bit of make-up on! 

Best & worst attributes: I am an optimist and I love meeting people from all walks of life. Worst? I can be quite nosey and I am worried about my temper if I am too hungry. 

Dream camper: Dawn French, I love her. 

MARVIN HUMES

Claim to fame: JLS star.

Phobias: Heights. I have pulled out of a skydive with JLS in the past because I was too scared! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: To show I am not just a member of a boy band. It will be nice for people to learn more about me. 

Role in camp: I’d like to think I will be a shoulder to cry on and a mediator. 

Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: My fantasy football app! I am obsessed with it! Four weeks without music is a long time, too. 

Best & worst attributes: I’ve got three children under the age of ten and you definitely need a lot of patience for that! Worst? Rochelle would probably say I get ‘hangry’ if I don’t have enough food. 

Dream camper: Paddy McGuinness – I’ve done Soccer Aid with him before and I know he’s funny, he gets stuck in and he is hands on.

GRACE DENT

Claim to fame: MasterChef star and food critic. 

Phobias: Horrible people. 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: People think I am quite forthright and scary but I don’t think I am scary! Hopefully people will see this. 

Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on and I am a practical cook so I can help out. 

Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My three cats and my make-up bag. I love a bit of glamour. 

Best & worst attributes: I would like to think I am funny! My worst quality is lack of sleep. I like my sleep. 

Dream camper: Queen Camilla. She would be very practical. And Madonna – she could perform tracks from her Greatest Hits tour! 

TONY BELLEW

Claim to fame: Former champion boxer

Phobias: Like most normal people, I am scared of almost everything.

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: People will portray me as something I am not because of the profession I have had. I am just a normal person.

Role in camp: I’d like to think I am domesticated so hopefully I can help out.

Best & worst attributes: I do get hangry…who doesn’t! But I am easy going and I get on with everyone.

 

 

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