ITV I'm A Celebrity fans beg 'protect him' as Richard Coles cries 'I miss him' after partner's tragic death

I'm A Celebrity viewers have begged 'protect him' after Richard Coles was left crying as he opened up about his partner's tragic death.

The Reverend, 62, admitted 'I miss him' in an honest conversation with Oti Mabuse during Tuesday's episode (Nov 26), which saw the former Strictly star speak about her daughter's premature birth.

Explaining that her baby was placed in an incubator after birth, and as she couldn’t hold her she used her voice to connect with her, she told Richard: “They find comfort in your voice. For two months, every single day we’d sing church music.”

READ MORE: Oti Mabuse's trauma after daughter's premature birth left her 'at her lowest'

Richard then shared his own story, as he said: “I remember going once to baptise a little boy, a premature boy, he was born very premature, he was only just alive…”

Stopping what he was saying because he was overcome with emotion at the memory, Richard fought back tears, as Oti got up to give him a hug.

He went on: “I just remember he was this tiny little pulse of life, and David [his then partner] got a pipette of water and we blessed it, and we baptised him and he survived and now he’s a healthy young footballer, which is great! But I just felt so… it was such a precious thing.”

Oti agreed: “They are, my daughter was really, really tiny when she was born. It’s hell. It’s hell to be in the hospital, to hear those sounds, to not see your baby’s eyes for a week, it’s hell to constantly look for advice from the doctors.”

Trying not to cry, Oti shared what she called the worst thing for her, which was that “every night, you need to leave them, you need to leave your baby in someone else’s hands.”

Saying that she can’t wait for Richard to meet her, Oti asked: “Maybe you can say a prayer over her, I would really love that," to which Richard admitted: “I’ve already said a prayer for her actually.” With tears in her eyes, she thanked Richard and gave him a big hug.

Richard then opened up about the loss of his former partner, David. He confessed to Oti: “I miss him… He’s just left a massive hole in my life and I’m living my life around that loss.”

Richard and David began their relationship in 2007. Richard was left struggling in 2019 after David died just days before Christmas aged 43. David, also a clergyman, died of liver disease caused by an alcohol addiction, reports the Mirror.

After hearing the emotional conversation, viewers took to X, with @chloehenry96 saying: "Protect Richard at all costs. what a sweetheart #ImACeleb," as @iAmMe1980s echoed: "Oh Richard . Protect this man at all costs. #ImACeleb To have such a deep belief in something is so wonderful."

@TayJacobx wrote: "Protect Oti and Rev Richard at all costs!!!! Angels #ImACeleb." as @aaamsx said: "Richard telling Oti he has already prayed for her daughter is the most wholesome thing I’ve ever hear. protect this man at all costs #ImACeleb #imacelebrity2024."