James McVey forced to confront his negative relationship with food after dropping 11lb on I’m A Celeb
JAMES McVey has admitted that his I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! stint has forced him to confront his negative relationship with food.
The 24-year-old musician lost a staggering 11lbs in the jungle - with James previously suffering from an eating disorder.
Speaking to , the star revealed that he has already gained a couple of pounds since leaving the ITV reality show, and he is on track to return to his usual size.
James said: "The jungle diet pushed my body and mind to the absolute limit. I felt like I was wasting away.
"The contrast between my body before and after has taught me a lot. It’s made me recognise that years ago I had a problem.
"About five years ago it dictated my life. I didn’t want to go out for meals because I didn’t want to eat food I couldn’t control.
"I didn’t realise how much that had taken over my life and it still does play a big part now. It’s a constant battle to try to recognise that moderation is a good thing."
Speaking out about his eating disorder before entering the jungle, James explained: "Fans always send me pictures from years ago and I’m stick thin, and I didn’t realise back then just how thin I was.
"I was ill and I looked ill. I'm happy that now I've come full circle and see food as a positive."
The musician added: "I don't want to belittle other people who have anorexia, but I think I definitely had a negative relationship with food in those early days. I was obsessed with food.
"It's now about building muscle and getting leaner. You need to eat more of the good things."
The British music star confessed his obsession with food began when he was a child and used to beg his mum for sweets, which left him "pretty overweight" until he hit puberty.
He concerned fans and his The Vamps bandmates during his time in the jungle as he visibly shed the pounds due to a rice and beans diet.
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Tristan Evans said at the times: "We're obviously worried about him, but we can't expect him to join the jungle and not lose weight.
"It's going to happen because of the small amount of food they're having.
"We knew he would come out a lot skinnier, but he looks good. I don't know how much weight he's lost but he will definitely put it back on when he comes back."
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