In a surprising turn of events, Frankie Muniz, known for his role in the sitcom “Malcolm in the Middle,” has decided to leave the Australian reality show “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!” after spending three weeks in the jungle. Muniz became the latest contestant to voluntarily leave the show, citing his desire to be with his family as the main reason for his departure.
Family Comes First
Muniz, who is a father to a three-year-old son, shared his struggles with being away from his family while reading a letter from his wife. He expressed his guilt for not being fully present in their lives and his realisation that he needed to prioritize his role as a husband and father. “My current situation with my wife and son is… I’m guilty of not noticing what they do for me,” Muniz told his fellow campmates. “Hearing my wife say that my son is sad that I don’t play trucks with him, I realise I’ve been home so many days, and when I’m home, I’m not present.”
A Difficult Decision
The actor shared that leaving the show was one of the hardest decisions he had ever made, especially since he was having such a positive experience in the jungle. He explained that he didn’t want to let his campmates down but ultimately felt it was the right time to go back to his family. “It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do,” Muniz said to hosts Julia Morris and Robert Irwin. “Because this is honestly been one of the most amazing, positive experiences I’ve ever been a part of… I didn’t want to let my campmates down because we’re all going through the same thing, but it just felt like it was the right time.”
Self-Discovery and Vulnerability
Muniz also reflected on the transformative nature of his time in the jungle, stating that it felt like a wellness retreat. He forged strong connections with his campmates, engaging in meaningful conversations that led to personal realisations and a sense of vulnerability. “You have so much time to talk and really get to know people,” he shared. “It made me think about things for the first time when I was answering them… it like hit me hard.”
The Emmy-nominated actor’s emotional farewell touched his fellow celebrities, including Brittany Hockley and Skye Wheatley, who were left stunned and tearful by his decision. Muniz, who first gained fame at the age of 11, also opened up about the impact of his career on his family, revealing that his parents’ divorce occurred during the show’s run. He confessed, “It’s kind of sad to think about that it really did separate the family.”
A Unique Path
By leaving the show voluntarily, Muniz joins a small group of celebrities who have chosen to exit the series on their own terms, including Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Mel Buttle, Anthony Mundine, and Bernard Tomic. Meanwhile, Michelle Bridges, a former Biggest Loser trainer, became the next contestant to be voted out by viewers.
With Muniz’s departure, the competition intensifies as the remaining celebrities continue their journey toward the crown of King or Queen of the jungle, which will be awarded during the show’s finale on Sunday night. At least four more contestants will exit the jungle by Thursday, narrowing down the field for the coveted title.
