Shane Richie's wife says 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!' has brought his "twinkle" back.
Shane and Christie Richie
Christie - who married the 56-year-old actor in 2007 - feels like the ITV show has helped her husband restore his youth as he looks like he did when they both met after he lost weight.
She told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “I am really surprised at how different he looks. We knew he would lose some weight and in some respects he went in there looking at it like a boot camp.
“To see that jawline after all these years, it was like greeting an old friend! I haven't seen it in years. I wonder if he can keep all the weight off.
“He needs a good shave and a good scrub and a haircut but it does remind me of the old days when we first got together. I think he will love the way he looks and be thankful to have lost some weight.
"Seeing that twinkle in his eye again has been wonderful."
The former 'EastEnders' star was initially nervous about entering the show because he knew he would have to show his true personality rather than hide behind his soap character Alfie Moon.
Christie explained: “Hand on heart he will, excuse the pun, be ‘over the moon’ that people have taken the time to vote for him. I can imagine him being completely blown away and thankful for the love and support he’s getting.
"It’s scary to be yourself for all to see and judge, after years of being able to hide behind acting roles and he was genuinely worried that people wouldn’t take to him.
“He was really nervous about that. He wanted to be himself and he has been, there are no airs or graces, but he should be really proud of how he has been true to himself.
"To come this far is a dream though. He was a winner the moment he walked through the castle doors."
Shane finished fourth on the show last night (03.12.20), leaving Giovanna Fletcher, Jordan North and Vernon Kay in the top three to battle it out for the King or Queen of the Castle title tonight (04.12.20).
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