Why I’m A Celebrity South Africa's Scarlett Moffatt really left Gogglebox and how her weight-loss DVD sparked scandal
She's back in the jungle!Scarlett Moffatt is back on screens as the new series of I’m A Celebrity South Africa continues. But what do we know about the beloved TV star?
Alongside the likes of David Haye, Seann Walsh and Beverley Callard, the much-loved TV star is diving back into the jungle world that first made her a household name.
So, who is Scarlett Moffatt and when was she first on I’m A Celebrity…? Here’s everything you need to know, including what went down between herself and her Gogglebox star mum and why she regrets her weight-loss DVD.
Who is I’m A Celebrity star Scarlett Moffatt?
Scarlett Moffatt is a reality star and TV presenter. Born in Bishop Auckland, County Durham on October 17, 1990, she is 35 years old.
She first shot to fame when she joined Channel 4’s Gogglebox in 2014 with her family: mum Betty and dad Mark. Scarlett’s younger sister Ava-Grace also went on to join the show.
After leaving the show in 2016, Scarlett had a successful stint on that year’s I’m A Celebrity… and appeared on the likes of Saturday Night Takeaway and Extra Camp. Last year, she was crowned the winner of the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special, alongside Vito Coppola.
She’s also fronted documentary features such as The British Tribe Next Door and, in 2022, Britain’s Tourette’s Mystery: Scarlett Moffatt Investigates. Additionally, Scarlett has authored books such as My Life Story and Scarlett Says.
Why did Scarlett leave Gogglebox?
Scarlett left Gogglebox show in 2016 to appear on I’m A Celebrity…. At the time, a Channel 4 spokesperson said: “Scarlett Moffatt is going into I’m a Celebrity and will no longer participate in this series of Gogglebox.
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“The show’s producers have not had any conversations with Scarlett about leaving or returning to Gogglebox after her stint in the Jungle.
“The Moffatts have been excellent contributors to Gogglebox, and we are very grateful for all they have given to the show.”
A year later, Scarlett revealed that after she left the show, her family were also let go. She wrote in reply to a fan on Twitter: “We are gutted too, thought my mam and dad (and little Ava) would still be able to do it but we will still be watching.”
Scarlett Moffatt’s weight loss and that DVD…
Scarlett has been on a rollercoaster weight-loss journey, and in recent months, stunned fans with a dramatic transformation. However, according to, Scarlett, she claims that she was not even trying to lose weight.
“Honestly I have not lost any weight!” she told OK! Magazine. “This is the mad thing, right. Even my friends yesterday texted me saying: ‘Oh my God, Scarlett, you look amazing!’
“Literally, I am the same size! I don’t know if it’s just because I’m happy, or my cortisol levels are down or I’m not as bloated or… I honestly have no idea!”
Nonetheless, Scarlett also mentioned that, as she’s got older and become a parent to son Jude, she’s minding her health more.
“I think when you’re younger sometimes you think it’s more important on what size your clothes are whereas now I’ve got a little one to look after I just want to be the healthiest I could be,” she noted. “So I can be around for the longest time for him.”
Speaking to Ant and Dec in the opening episode, she showed off her down-to-earth sense of humour as she declared she was “10 years older and four stone heavier” than the last time she appeared on the show.
Scarlett Moffatt’s regret over her weight-loss DVD
Scarlett has been open with fans about her struggles with her weight over the years. Back in 2016, the star claimed the workouts on her fitness DVD, Scarlett’s Superslim Me Plan, had allowed her to shrink from a size 18 to a size 8.
However, she has since come clean, revealing that she had in reality followed a gruelling workout routine and diet at a Swiss bootcamp.
Scarlett has made it very clear that she regrets the move, to the extent that she even purposefully put on weight to discourage people from buying the DVD.
“I sort of rebelled against the DVD because I just didn’t like how it happened and I just wasn’t for it anymore,” she admitted in a 2020 appearance on Frankie Bridge’s podcast.
What happened between Scarlett Moffatt and her mum?
A few years ago, reports alleged that Scarlett’s mum Betty had taken money from her daughter to fund a lockdown gambling habit. However, neither Scarlett nor Betty addressed the claims.
Their relationship has always appeared in good spirits and, in July 2023, a source claimed Scarlett’s baby Jude strengthened their bond even more.
A source told OK!: “Scarlett is very forgiving and hates any kind of bad blood so she did struggle badly with her mum when everything went down.
“But the baby has definitely brought them closer. Betty has really been there for Scarlett recently, spending a lot of time with her since Jude’s arrival. It’s just what Scarlett needed.
“During the pregnancy, Scarlett had to swallow her pride and lean on her mum because after all, it’s at times like that when you realise how much you really do need your mum.
“They’re closer than ever now and Scarlett is so much happier. She can’t stand any animosity. The pregnancy and birth have brought them back to the closeness they shared before the fall-out.”
A rep for Scarlett declined to comment when approached at the time.
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Has Scarlett Moffatt had a baby?
Scarlett and her partner, Scott Dobinson, had their son, Jude, back in June 2023. Jude was born prematurely at 35 weeks.
As a result, Scarlett had to have an unplanned C-section and her newborn baby was rushed to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) before making a recovery.
Talking about how Jude changed her perspective on life, she told OK!: “I have a completely different mindset these days – it was like a switch flicked in my head when I became a mam.
“I used to put so much pressure on myself and worry about other people’s opinions. Now? I don’t care. I feel I know myself a lot more. And I’ve given birth to a little human being – that’s amazing.”
In 2025, the TV star bravely revealed that she sadly suffered a miscarriage after welcoming Jude.
She told The Sun: “We tried [to have another baby], and it just wasn’t…We had a miscarriage after Jude. It happened quite late on. We had told people [about the pregnancy], and we were really excited.
“We had talked about what life would be like, how they would run down the stairs together as siblings at Christmas, so you mourn the loss of that and the life you imagined. It’s weird because they weren’t there, but in your thoughts, they were. So it was really hard.”
When was Scarlett Moffatt’s wedding? When is she getting married?
Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt got engaged to policeman and baby daddy Scott Dobinson in 2023. In an August 2025 interview, she revealed that they were looking at venues for their nuptials.
When asked about a potential wedding timeframe, Scarlett said: “I’m hoping to do it next year but maybe that’s too adventurous? It takes a lot to plan a wedding, but I’ve got this in the bag.” She later confirmed to New! magazine in October that she had set a date.
“We booked a date and I can’t tell you how excited I am!” she said. “I’ve just booked a venue for seven months’ time, I’ve been so busy filming. And now I’m like… at some point me and Scott are going to get married.”
Looks like she’ll become Mrs Dobinson this May, then!
When was Scarlett first on I’m A Celebrity…?
Back in 2016, Scarlett won the 16th series of I’m A Celebrity…. She beat out stiff competition from the likes of South Africa co-star Adam Thomas, Joel Dommett and Carol Vorderman.
Talking about being asked to take part in the new I’m A Celebrity South Africa series, Scarlett recently shared: “I was a bit overwhelmed. Out of all the people they could pick, I felt grateful that I was even a thought because so many people have done it. I watch the show religiously and I was so happy to be asked.”
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She added: “I am 10 years older now and it is a big challenge for me, I do feel apprehensive as I watched the first Legends series and the trials and challenges were like all the Australian trials combined – so a level up. I hope I can do them.
“I am going to give it my all, but I have everything to thank this show for. Doing Gogglebox was lovely, but I’m A Celebrity… was the first programme I’d done on my own.”
How’s Scarlett Moffatt doing on I’m A Celebrity South Africa?
Fans are loving Scarlett so far, with many naming her as their early favourite to win.
She seems to be loving camp life, having been chosen to live in Main Camp on day one. As the camps merged on Thursday’s show (April 9), Scarlett singled out Gemma Collins for a cuddle, noticing she was struggling.
And she’s been super-cute with Olympian Mo Farah. With Scarlett admitting she’s stunned that a Sir is making her brekkie!
Read more: Adam Thomas snubbed by ITV after ‘explosive’ unaired row with I’m A Celebrity co-star
