The devastating family tragedy that changed I’m A Celeb’s Oti’s entire life when she was growing up

Oti Mabuse bravely opened up about her brother’s tragic death by suicide on I’m A Celeb after McFly’s Danny Jones spoke about his anxiety.

“I think it’s really good that you keep saying people must talk, especially young boys,” she said.

“I don’t think young boys tend to talk that much and the suicide rate is so high in young men especially, so I think it’s important that you keep telling people to talk about it.”

“I had a brother who committed suicide when he was 16 and I think if he had spoken to someone about what he was feeling, it would’ve been a different turnout.”

Neo died by suicide when the former Strictly dancer was growing up in South Africa with her two sisters, Motsi and Phemelo.

He was her half-brother, who her mum Dudu welcomed from a past relationship before meeting Oti, Motsi and Phemelo’s father, Peter Mabuse.

In her book, Motsi, who is also a dancer, explained that he killed himself with a poison as he was struggling in life.

“I think all the changes had overwhelmed [Neo] a little bit, everything had seemed difficult to him,” she said.

“He had gone to a private school, but he had surrounded himself with people you might call ‘false friends.’ It was a tough time for all of us, but especially for my mum.”

After he passed away, the whole family was shunned from the town in South Africa where they lived.

“Because the people of Africa are very religious and superstitious, something bad arose in our neighbourhood,” Motsi recalled.

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“With the suicide of Neo, our family was seen as one where there was a negative energy. Because of this rumour, no one came to us anymore, because it was feared that the bad energy applied to the visitor.”

In the jungle, Oti said that people in her culture “don’t really open up” which makes the tragedy even harder to deal with.

“Every year we celebrate his birthday, but it’s the people that are still left with the aftermath that feel it every single day and you have to go out in the world and be strong and happy and bubbly and positive, but it’s tough.”

“So if you don’t talk about it, no matter how frustrating it is and if you don’t get those feelings out, if you don’t seek the help, it’s hurtful for you, as well as the people around you that love you.”

Oti moved to Germany in 2012, where she appeared as a professional dancer on the German version of Strictly Come Dancing Let’s Dance.

She then came to the UK in 2015 as a professional on the 13th series of Strictly Come Dancing, partnered with Olympic boxer Anthony Ogogo.

If you feel affected by this story, please speak to someone or contact the Samaritans at any time on 116 123. You can also contact Anxiety UK on 03444 775 774, Mind on 0300 123 3393, and CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) on 0800 58 58 58.

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Featured image by: ITV