Oti Mabuse delivered crucial jungle advice from pal who is former I'm A Celeb star

Pussycat Doll turned Heart FM Radio host Ashley Roberts has had a friendship with Strictly pro Oti Mabuse for years, with the pair both appearing on the BBC dance show at the same time back in 2018.

The pair are both experienced dancers, but Ashley has the edge when it comes to knowledge of how to survive in the Australian jungle, as she's endured it herself. The 'Don't 'Cha Wish Your Girlfriend Was Hot Like Me' star went from one of the most glamorous jobs in the world to chowing down on camel penis and raw fish eyes and participating in brutal Bushtucker Trials.

Following her experience, she had a major piece of advice for her pal - not to sacrifice comfort for glamour. Ashley warned Oti that if she could only take one item in, she shouldn't waste the opportunity on anything surface-level like cosmetics.

"I reached out to Oti when I found out that she was going on the show - I love Oti - and I gave her a piece of advice which was 'Don't bring makeup,'" she recalled in an exclusive interview with the Express. "You only get one item to bring, so don't bring makeup or anything like that. You'll get over the fact that you're just not wearing anything and actually it's quite freeing!"

Some stars, including Tulisa, were suspected of trying to "cheat" by tattooing on cosmetic enhancements and using semi-permanent makeup to maintain some of the glamour they were used to channelling on the outside. However, Ashley wanted her pal to be liberated from the strain of worrying about how she looked, instead advising her to "bring something that will give you comfort".

"I mean, now I feel like they've got hammocks and stuff, but we were all on the ground!" she exclaimed of her own experience.

"I think we got a hammock eventually, but Oti said that they actually weren't allowing pillows this year - so if you're going on the show, buckle up and bring something that makes you feel more comfortable!"

She then revealed her own unexpected must-have jungle item, explaining: "I remember just wanting to sit in a chair!"

Ashley had reached out to send Oti "good vibes" and a "good luck message" after learning that she'd be away from her baby for weeks - something she knew was "probably going to be challenging for her".

Oti's daughter was born prematurely just over a year ago and spent six weeks in a neonatal intensive care unit - but she decided going on I'm A Celebrity and being separated from her daughter was the right choice.

She told The Mirror she was "fully committed" to being a mum, but felt she'd "never get the opportunity again" to head to the jungle - and reassured herself that her daughter would be unlikely to "remember" her absence due to her young age.

Meanwhile, since her own I'm A Celebrity experience, Ashley has reinvented herself as an honorary Brit, moving to the UK from the USA and becoming a hugely popular radio host alongside Amanda Holden on Heart FM.

She's also making sure that kangaroo testicles and other gruesome jungle "delicacies" are fading from her memories by heading to trusty American-inspired chain Frankie & Benny's for a taste of home.

Launching their new campaign to deliver bigger American-style portions to the nation, she revealed that she loves their New York meets Little Italy foodie vibes.

It's dishing up some serious comfort food, something which was of vital importance to her after being starved of flavoursome feasts in the jungle.

"Honestly, you miss your family in there, but really, it's the fantasy of food that drives you nuts! [After I'm A Celeb], food was just orgasmic after that!" she revealed.

Ashley Roberts has teamed up with Frankie & Benny's to celebrate their New York Italian menu where big portions, bold flavours and fresh food is guaranteed. Visit www.frankieandbennys.com