Former football player Alex Scott was the first star to be voted out of the I’m A Celebrity jungle on Friday (November 28).

I’m A Celebrity’s Alex Scott is cutting her jungle journey short to fly back home to the UK and support her partner Jess Glynne, who’s dealing with her mother’s brain surgery.

The broadcaster, 41, was the first to be voted off on Friday (November 28) night, but when she didn’t spot the Hold My Hand singer, 36, waiting for her, she knew something was wrong with her mum, Alexandra.

Celebs are typically expected to remain in Australia until the last contestant is voted off, but Alex has decided to break this rule to be there for Jess. Alex shared: “It’s been a hard couple of months.

“But Jess was like I want you to go on the show and do it for my mum. It’s been tough because I want to be here for the wrap party and I have to get home straight away.

“She’s my Jessica, and I’m going home to be her rock. My campmates knew what I was going through and I just want to thank everyone at ITV and my camp mates because they’ve all shown me so much support.”

Alex Scott

Alex was the first star to be voted out the I’m A Celeb jungle (Image: Tim Merry/Staff Photographer)

She disclosed that she almost didn’t make it to the Australian Outback after Jess’s mum Alexandra suffered a severe stroke which necessitated brain surgery.

In a heartfelt interview, Alex told Daily Mail that it was Jess who convinced her to participate despite the heartbreaking family news – though she spent her time on the ITV show worrying that if her partner wasn’t there to greet her at the jungle bridge then her mum’s condition may have worsened.

Speaking after her departure from the show on Friday night, Alex said: “It’s been a tough time for us. The decision to enter the jungle was a difficult one for both of us and her family.

“But Jess never wanted me to step away from not doing it. I knew there was always a possibility of her not being across the bridge, if her mum hadn’t got better or if things had been getting worse, which they have been.

Alex and Jess

Alex is rushing home to support partner Jess (Image: Getty Images Europe)

“But it was a big decision for me to not pass this opportunity and Jess was the one who pushed me to be here.”

The couple had kept their family tragedy under wraps while the BBC One Show presenter was on the reality show. However, after she was the first to be voted off on Friday night and questions arose as to why Jess wasn’t there to greet her, as is customary for friends and family, the Hold My Hand singer broke her silence.

Taking to Instagram, she wrote: “I wanted to share something personal, over the last few weeks my mum suffered a major stroke and needed urgent surgery.

“It’s been a really serious, life-altering time for my family, and I’ve had to stay close to home. Alex would always want me to be where I’m needed most. I can’t wait to have her back by my side.”