EastEnders actor Dean Gaffney has opened up about his recent cancer scare days after being eliminated from I'm A Celeb...South Africa.

The star who played Robbie Jackson appeared on the all-star edition of the ITV reality show, making it to the last six.

However, the Dean has now revealed how the I'm A Celeb medical team saved his life after making a serious discovery.

During an interview with the Mirror, he said: "There is no doubt I’m A Celeb and its medical team saved my life. I might not be here today if it wasn’t for them finding what they did.”

He added that the ITV show's doctors found a number of polyps in his large intestine, alerting the team that an operation was needed.

"Within hours I was in a hospital gown and under general ­anaesthetic and they took it out", he said.

After his treatment, he added: “Had you not come to us today, in three years that could have turned to bowel cancer. You’ve been very lucky.

“I still remember his exact words. I feel so, so lucky. It’s made me so careful about checking my stools.”

EastEnders star Dean Gaffney wants to raise awareness for bowel cancer after scare during I'm A Celeb...South Africa

Since his I'm A Celeb...South Africa experience, Dean has said he wishes to raise awareness of bowel cancer in men in much the same way Dame Deborah James did with Bowelbabe.

He said: “Dame Deborah was an inspiration to so many. I’ve so much respect for her fight and the awareness she raised for bowel cancer.

“If I can do a small fraction of that for men, it’d make me very happy.”

Dean played the role of Robbie from 1993 to 2019 and became well-known for his Albert Square dog Wellard.

Helen Flanagan and Dean Gaffney leave I'm A Celeb...South Africa as fans 'gutted' and 'devastated'

Dean Gaffney and Helen Flanagan were eliminated on Wednesday, May 10, just days before the final on Friday.

The pair were the last two remaining in the Hell Hole challenge, seeing them instantly eliminated.

Dean said of his experience that he has "never laughed so much" with Helen saying she is "probably looking forward to a good bottle of wine."

Fans of the show were quick to comment on the outcome, with one user writing: "Gutted Helen is out #ImACeleb."

Another added: "Devastated Dean and Joe left!!! But Jordan has to win it! #ImACeleb."

One user complained that all the best campmates had left, saying: "A camp packed full of dullards now. Great #ImACeleb", while another said: "@helenflanagan1 is my winner! She was fearless this time round and an inspiration! Hold your head high girl your our Queen! #ImACeleb."