Day scared by nights says his ex

EX WIFE: Maria

23/11/2008

JUNGLE softie David Van Day suffered NIGHTMARES before going on I'm A Celebrity, his ex-wife has revealed.

Maria Day said the ex-Bucks Fizz and Dollar singer really DOES have claustrophobia and wasn't just whingeing. And she lifted the lid on why they got divorced.

Last week newcomer David got the other celebs' backs up straight away by moaning about sleeping in a cage then a cave. But Maria said: "Before the show he was really worried. He does not like confined spaces and had nightmares about being in a box."

Ex-Page 3 model Maria admitted David went on I'm A Celeb to "raise his profile and get regular work in entertainment".

His recent jobs have included FLIPPING BURGERS in a van.

But when they wed in 1989 he was a big star touring with Bucks Fizz-and rubbing shoulders with George Michael and Duran Duran.

He'd previously enjoyed a decade of success with Dollar.

In the 90s Maria gave birth to their daughters Olivia, now 16, and Amber, 12- who will be in Oz to greet their dad when he leaves camp.

But around the same time David's pop career nose-dived and he ended up selling fast-food in Brighton. Maria said: "I was proud he was prepared to go out and work in a burger van. He always provided for me and the kids.

"He told me: 'I can see the headline that will come back at me: 'Bottom Dollar.' And it did. But he never tried to disguise himself."

The couple separated in 2003-but Maria said: "There was no big fall-out.

"We became like brother and sister and just outgrew each other. He was a fantastic husband and is a fantastic friend. And I really think-because of his personality -he can walk out as King of the Jungle."

Your comments

This article has 10 comments

Whatever David's game plan was, he didn't ask Nicola to be nasty to him, she did it because she is
spoilt and also a game player. Nicola was antagonistic as soon as David and Timmy walked into their camp, she made no attempt to be friendly, it rightly got backs up and gave David a game to play.
I didn't want to like David but he grew on me, he was entertaining and seems to be sorted now.

By Millie. Posted December 7 2008 at 3:17 PM.

David Van Day is a self centred opinionated twerp. Fat, ugly and talentless. Glad he's gone. Good riddance and hope Nicola kicks his balls into earrings when she sees him at the hotel.

By Annie. Posted December 5 2008 at 12:42 PM.

i love david van day, and think he is not playing a game he is being himself, he did have a really bad car crash in the past and that left him feeling very insecure i think, i hope he wins i would love that to happen, although i would aslo love joe to win, but if anyone loved the camera it was simon you only have to look at hois body to realise he is vain, and nicola needs a great big wooden spoon because it was her intention to stir things up for david she is two faced.

By sandra dobell. Posted December 4 2008 at 6:51 PM.

I think david van day is a comedy legend and popclassic! I hope he is crowned king of the jungle.

By roy. Posted December 2 2008 at 8:50 PM.

David makes this series. If he got voted off then I would turn off!! Such a sense of humour , a true entertainer and what a dote. Doesn't Nicola realise he survived a serious coach crash and immerged with more brains in his big toe than she'll ever have? Go there David

By mandy. Posted December 2 2008 at 8:28 PM.

I think david is a complete arsehole. I wll never understand how his ex wife put up with him for so long. Surely when she watches him on screen she must feel great relief at not having to greet him home. The winner in my opinion is Joe, breaking wind is natural, my husband of fifty years always does it. Go for it Joe. If you don't make it. Let Martina do it
Good luck

By sheila. Posted December 1 2008 at 10:36 AM.

Dani it's like Brian said last night if it had been anyone but David on the bus they would not have a problem with it. The only reason David is on the bus is because when the bed was offered nobody else wanted to move to the bus so why does that give Nicola and Co the right to bully him and force him off it?

By wendy. Posted November 30 2008 at 3:40 PM.

Graham Nicola wouldn't care even if he did say something, she is such a ***** and a bully where David is concerned why she is still in there I really do not know. ITV should have made it vote to evict not vote to save then she would have been gone.

By wendy. Posted November 30 2008 at 3:37 PM.

david is not nice he is nasty and piteful he is stayin in the bus n not lettin any on in

By dani. Posted November 30 2008 at 2:51 PM.

So he should set Nikki straight and tell her page 3 girls are 10 a dollar, she is too simple to even know he had more fame and fortune than she has had, or even her footballer bf. Horrible girl she is

By Graham. Posted November 30 2008 at 9:23 AM.

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