I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! star Luke Bateman is one of the most popular competitors on the show this year. While his life seems to be going from strength to strength, that hasn’t always been the case.
During his NRL career, Luke was one of the most popular Canberra Raiders players. But behind closed doors, the footy player was battling a crippling gambling habit that took over his life.
Although he earned $400,000 per year, he lost around $500,000 to his gambling addiction.
“It was horrible,” he told news.com.au. “I was literally at the point of suicide. I was at the end of the tracks.”
At his darkest point, he had no money to cover his mortgage and had to ask his mother for help.
“I think when I was in that place I… caused a lot of pain, a lot of misery to my loved ones and my family,” Luke recalled. “I was like, well I can end my own pain and I can also end all the pain that I’m causing my loved ones. I would not wish it upon my worst enemy.
“I was in a very, very dark place.”
Luke ended up seeking help and checked into rehab to curb his addiction. “Since [entering rehab], it’s been five or six years and it’s probably only been in the last 12 to 24 months that things have really gotten to a good place. It wasn’t horrible the whole time, but there were years of struggle,” he said.
Luke Bateman opens up about his addiction on I’m A Celeb
During an episode of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, Luke told campmates Nath Valvo and Barry Williams about how prevalent gambling culture is in Australia.
“From the moment you’re 18, what you do is you train, you play, and then you go to the pub and gamble. And that’s just like bred into the culture,” Luke said.
“You [have] no respect for [the money], and you have a lot of spare time. And then you’re like, you’re culturally just, not forced into it, but you’re just culturally exposed to it from literally 18.”
During a confessional, he revealed why he’s so open about his past demons.
“I’ve kept that part of myself secret for a long time, and I think that addiction thrives in secrecy,” he said.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Continues Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 7.30pm, and Sunday at 7pm. Watch + Stream Free On 10.
Want to CHATTR with us? Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok for more entertainment news.
