Jake Quickenden reveals cancer scare

Jake Quickenden has told fans 'life is so precious' as he opened up about the tragic loss of his father and brother.

The former I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! contestant lost his brother, Oliver, to bone cancer in 2012 - four years after their dad had died of the same disease.

He told aTEEN magazine: "Losing my dad and brother was a rollercoaster of emotions and I was extremely angry.

"These bastard illnesses need to be overpowered. I am so proud of what charities like Cancer Research have achieved and we as society will stand up and beat it."

The former X Factor contestant added: "I like to think that I can use whatever airtime I get to spread the message that we can create change - those that are a part of those charities are real-life superheroes.

"What kept me going? I had the support of the strongest woman I know - my mum. I am lucky to have such strong women around me and at my weakest, they gave me the power to come through.

"It was a long process and one that I can never get over, but there are a lot of people in the world that have lost a loved one and all we can do is support each other.

"Losing somebody is always hard. I felt lost at sea for a long time, not knowing what to do. I wanted to be strong for my mum and so I probably did grow up faster but like anybody that has been through this, you find the strength within and slowly piece yourself back together."

Jake also spoke about a personal cancer scare. He said: "I have to go for constant check-ups. Only last year I had a bit of a scare when I found a lump in my leg. Health is a massively important thing for me and I try and live my life to the full everyday. Life is so precious and I never want to take another day for granted.

"I'll always have to have precautionary check-ups and it is scary."

Jake's new song I Want You is available on SoundCloud now.