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<\/p>\nActor Nick Pickard has opened up on his Hollyoaks future, some 28 years after joining the Channel 4 soap.<\/p>\n
The 48-year old recently swapped Chester for Australia, as he embarks on an I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here journey on Sunday (November 19). Nick, who rose to fame in his role as Tom Hutchinson, will be hoping to pip the likes of Nigel Farage and Marvin Humes in a bid to be crowned King of the Jungle next month. <\/p>\n
Hollyoaks fans will be delighted to know his stint Down Under doesn't spell the end of his time on the show, however, after bosses gave him their blessing to take part in the Ant and Dec-hosted competition. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and as soon as I was approached, I said 'Yes'," Nick explained. <\/p>\n
READ MORE:<\/b>'I won I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! and Nigel Farage will be next champion'<\/b><\/p>\n
READ MORE:<\/b> ITV I'm A Celebrity runner-up warns stars bosses 'try and break you' with 'no fun' camp<\/b><\/p>\n
He continued: "I am not quitting Hollyoaks to take part. My bosses have been really supportive of me doing it. Now it is getting near to going into camp, I am so excited."<\/p>\n
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With Bushtucker Trials on the horizon, the star admitted he's not so keen on food challenges, but he'll give his all when it comes to earning stars for camp. "I am obviously not looking forward to eating kangaroo balls but at the same time, I am looking forward to the trials \u2013 that\u2019s the fun part of doing this show," he added. <\/p>\n
"I love the ones where you climb up or jump for a star. And I like ones getting submerged in water. I can\u2019t wait now! This is so out of my comfort zone and it\u2019s the best show you can do."<\/p>\n
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Nick believes his Hollyoaks co-stars will love the fact he is taking part – just as they approved of Owen Warner's appearance last year, who ultimately went on to finish as runner-up behind former footballer, Jill Scott. "I know they will be rooting for me when they find out," Nick said. <\/p>\n
"This is going into the unknown and yes, I will miss my home comforts but I want to come away not thinking, 'What have I missed?' but a greater appreciation for what you do have in life."<\/p>\n
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Back in 2017 Nick won the British Soap Award for Outstanding Achievement and he is the first to admit it would be the icing on the cake should he walk away as winner of I\u2019m A Celebrity too. "To win would be fantastic as the public have voted for you and it means you have done something right!" he added. <\/p>\n
"It would be the icing on the cake, but this is going to be such a rewarding experience. It\u2019s a win, win."<\/p>\n
I'm A Celebrity.. Get Me Out of Here! returns to ITV1 and ITVX on Sunday, November 19 at 9pm<\/b><\/p>\n
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