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Craig Charles returns to our screens for a second stab at the I'm A Celebrity jungle after his devastating exit more than a decade ago. Tonight's the night as viewers get to see a line-up of All Stars head for South Africa with the icons from series gone by battling to be crowned king or queen of the jungle once again. Ant and Dec are back as hosts and will welcome the returning campmates into the spectacular location as ITV promises some of the most epic and extreme trials in I’m A Celebrity history.

The special series was filmed last year, and the cast features several big names including soaps legend Beverley Callard, Olympian Mo Farah, an Essex diva in Gemma Collins and and a King and a Queen of the Jungle - Harry Redknapp and Scarlett Moffatt.

Craig also jumped at the chance, and there's an emotional reason why he was determined to take on the challenge. Here, we look at the actor's short-lived last attempt and his life and career ahead of the show's return.

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Craig first appeared on the hit ITV show in 2014, had to leave after just four days. He went home after doctors and show bosses were left with no alternative but to tell him the tragic news that his brother Dean had suffered a fatal heart attack.

Years later, he spoke about how Dean had tried to contract him before he left for the Outback. Speaking to The Big Issue, Craig said: "If I could have one last conversation with anyone it would be my brother Dean. He tried to get hold of me just before I went into the jungle.

"We'd not spoken for a few years, there was a family falling out. And I just thought, 'You know what, I'll leave it, go and do the jungle thing and I'll come out and we'll all be together for Christmas.'"

He continued: "And he died while I was over there... The doctor said: 'I've got some terrible news to tell you, Craig. Your brother Dean has passed away.' So I had to get on a plane straight away. He was so far away. And it took so long to get back. I'd have loved to have had a conversation with him. I'd have loved to have made up."

Craig last week revealed he has suffered a heartbreaking loss ahead of his I’m A Celebrity comeback.

He announced the death of his mother-in-law days before the show hits the screens after revealed that his wife Jackie’s mother had passed away. Sharing a photo of them together, Craig wrote on Instagram: “My mother-in-law Anna Fleming passed away at 8-43 Sunday night.

“One of the most significant women in my entire life. One of the kindest, wisest and intelligent people I’ve ever had the pleasure to know, RIP MUM.”

Craig is best known for his roles as Dave Lister in the science fiction sitcom Red Dwarf and taxi driver Lloyd Mullaney in Coronation Street, who he played for ten years from 2005.

Speaking about his decision to leave the soap, he told OK Magazine: "My brother died when I was on I'm a Celeb. He was only 52. I thought, 'If I died suddenly, would I be happy with what I'd achieved?' The honest answer was no. So I promised myself I'd have new adventures. I wouldn't have been able to do half the stuff I've done if I'd stayed in Coronation Street."

He also presented the gladiator-style game show Robot Wars from 1998 to 2004, and narrated the comedy endurance show Takeshi's Castle.

In his personal life, Craig has spoken openly about health issues he has faced. In 2023, the actor said has had stents fitted since he suffered a heart attack a number of years ago.

After he recovered from the health setback, Craig told the Liverpool Echo how he now has a new lease of life. Craig explained he suffers with the same heart condition his brother Dean died from in 2014. He said: "It's the narrowing of the arteries that leads to the heart and they said it was genetic at the time and I should go and get it checked out.

"I just ignored them and got on with my life but then I had the same thing." Craig is making the most of his new life, as he is still bursting with energy and busier than ever."

I’m A Celeb All Stars launches tonight, at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX. It will air every weeknight for three weeks, with the live grand final falling on Friday, April 24.