For beloved broadcaster F Matt Gibb, there was a heartbreaking motivation for joining the cast of Celebrity Treasure Island.
The former Squirt star signed on for the gruelling competition because he was determined to raise money for the Cancer Society after losing his father to a rare form of skin cancer in February 2020.
"Dad had a really short and intense battle with Merkel cell carcinoma," Matt tells Woman's Day, wiping away a tear. "We found a tumour in his neck and thought an operation would hopefully do the trick. But by that point, it had spread too much, so it was just a matter of spending as much time with him as we could. It was four months from diagnosis to us losing him."
Matt was living and working in Sydney at the time his dad Eddie was diagnosed but says his employers at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation were incredible and let him spend the time he needed with his father.
"I am eternally grateful that we were all with him when he passed away and we were all able to be there for the funeral, unlike many families at that time. Just two weeks after his funeral was when the borders closed and restrictions kicked in."
Matt returned to Australia after the funeral and had to process the loss of his dad in isolation. "It was pretty tough," he admits. "He was the most loving dad. He would never let you go to sleep without knowing that he loved you. He was everything you'd hope for caring, sweet and funny. I learnt a lot from him."
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 25, 2023-Ausgabe von Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 25, 2023-Ausgabe von Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
LIVING WITH LONG COVID
Whether you or someone close to you is suffering, the support you get will make all the difference
WENTWORTH STAR LEAH 'I FELT SO STRONG!'
The Aussie acting legend talks love, leeches, lifting weights and her new series High Country
TV STAR SAMUEL 'NO ONE GOES ON MAFS FOR LOVE'
The skincare entrepreneur has some advice for the new contestants
Khristian's RECIPE FOR LOVE
This contestant had to choose between his partner and the MasterChef kitchen
A YEAR WITHOUT JOCK 'WE WERE TWO HALVES'
It's been 12 months of milestones and missing the beloved MasterChef Australia judge
HUGH'S KIDS TELL 'WE'LL LOOK AFTER YOU, DAD'
While the actor struggles to find his feet after his divorce, Ava and Oscar are as worried as his fans
CAM'S BODY IMAGE BATTLE 'IT'S OK NOT TO HAVE ABS!
After years of being bullied when he was younger, the CTI star wants to help empower others
HOME AND AWAY CAST DIVIDED OVER NEW ROMANCE
Ada and James' love life is the talk of the town - and Summer Bay!
THE MOMENT CHARLES MADE ZARA A PRINCESS?!
The King is on a mission to give his niece a leg-up in the monarchy
BRAD & INES' ROMANCE HEATS UP!
Life was a beach for Brad Pitt and his girlfriend Ines de Ramon as they enjoyed a romantic stroll along the waterfront in Santa Barbara last week.