The raw grief was written all over his face as Angry Ginge – the fiery YouTuber who stormed to victory in the 2025 series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! – broke down in a tear-jerking Instagram video just hours before stepping onto a charity football pitch in Doha.

With his trademark ginger hair and intense stare, 24-year-old Morgan Burtwistle looked straight into the camera and revealed the shattering loss that has devastated his tight-knit Manchester family: his beloved cousin Harley McNulty had died suddenly at just 19 years old.

‘Two weeks ago, one of my cousins Harley passed away, he was only 19 and a Manchester lad as usual, same place as we’re all from,’ Morgan said, his voice cracking with emotion. ‘So I’m wearing the arm band for him, for his family.’

The black armband – the same poignant symbol worn by footballers at matches after a tragedy – was Morgan’s way of honouring Harley during the high-profile Match for Hope 2026 charity game on Friday, January 30. But he wasn’t content with just a silent gesture. In a move that has touched millions, the jungle king urged his army of fans to dig deep for Harley’s devastated mum and family – and led by example with a whopping £3,000 donation of his own.

‘He’s also got a GoFundMe if you want to donate a quid or 50p if you can or a fiver – anything you can, feel free,’ he continued. ‘I’ve also donated so I’m not doing one of those things where you do and I don’t, don’t worry, but yeah it would mean the world to their family.’

The heartfelt plea has already seen the GoFundMe page – set up by Harley’s mum’s close friend Chanel Dillon on behalf of Sarah Newlove – surge past £16,520 of its £17,000 target. Every penny is going towards giving the fun-loving teenager the send-off he deserved.

‘The life and soul of the party’: Tributes pour in for Harley McNulty

Harley, described in the fundraiser as a ‘beautiful, funny, loving, mischievous, caring lad with the whole world ahead of him’, was taken far too soon on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Friends and family say he was the ultimate party starter – the one who lit up any room with his infectious smile, quick wit, and love for belting out rap tracks.

‘He was the most amazing son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend to all,’ the GoFundMe reads. ‘Always making everyone around him smile and laugh. The smile he had could light up any room… Forever 19, forever loved, forever remembered. Fly high Harley, rest in paradise.’

The suddenness of the loss has left everyone reeling. Reports suggest Harley was admitted to hospital unexpectedly and passed away the following morning, with early indications pointing to a suspected heart embolism – though the family has asked for privacy as they come to terms with the unimaginable.

For Morgan, who grew up in the same close-knit Manchester circles, the pain is all too real. ‘I cannot understand or even imagine how much pain his family is going through,’ he told followers. ‘So let’s make it as easy as it can be for them and help support them. Please give as big or as little – anything will help to give him the best day possible.’

From jungle triumph to personal heartbreak: Angry Ginge’s whirlwind year

Just weeks earlier, Morgan – known online as Angry Ginge for his hilarious, high-energy reaction videos and no-filter rants – was celebrating one of the biggest wins of his life. Crowned King of the Jungle in December 2025 after battling snakes, rats and his own temper in the Australian outback, he walked away with the £100,000 prize and a reported £1.2 million in earnings over the past year alone.

His path to stardom started on YouTube, where his authentic Mancunian banter and savage takedowns of everything from bad dates to celebrity scandals racked up millions of views. Fans loved his fiery personality – the ‘angry’ side of the ginger lad who doesn’t hold back.

Inside the jungle, he formed an instant bromance with rapper Aitch (who he already knew through mutual friends) and charmed the nation with his cheeky Geordie-style humour (despite being pure Manc). Viewers voted him winner over bookies’ favourites, cementing his status as one of the most popular champs in years.

But fame comes with a price. Behind the laughs, Morgan has always been fiercely family-oriented – raised by his devoted mum Michelle, who he credits for keeping him grounded. Now, that same family is shattered, and the new star is using his platform for something far more important than views.

£3,000 from the jungle king: The ultimate act of kindness

In an industry where celebrities often post black squares or generic ‘thoughts and prayers’, Morgan’s actions stand out. Not only did he announce the tragedy publicly to explain the armband, but he put his money where his mouth is – £3,000 straight to the fund, no questions asked.

‘I’ve donated so I’m not doing one of those things where you do and I don’t,’ he stressed, ensuring no one felt pressured without seeing real commitment.

The gesture has resonated deeply. Comments on the GoFundMe and his Instagram stories flooded in: ‘Legend for doing this Ginge’, ‘Rest in peace Harley, sending love to the family’, ‘Your jungle win was nothing compared to this – proper hero’.

One fan wrote: ‘From winning the jungle to winning hearts again. Manchester proud.’

Match for Hope: The perfect stage for a heartfelt tribute

The timing of Morgan’s announcement was no coincidence. He was in Doha, Qatar, for the star-studded Match for Hope 2026 – a glittering charity football fixture raising millions for the Education Above All Foundation.

Playing for Team Chunkz (managed by none other than Arsene Wenger), alongside global icons like Thierry Henry, Eden Hazard, Marcelo, KSI, MrBeast, and content creators like Chunkz himself, the pressure was on. Yet Morgan chose match day to open up – ensuring the black armband would be seen by millions watching worldwide.

Pre-match interviews showed him buzzing with excitement for the game, but the personal loss weighed heavy. ‘Good morning ladies and gentlemen, it is match day. I can’t wait, I’m buzzing… But I just thought I’d come on here and do a quick story about tonight.’

A family united in grief: Manchester roots run deep

Both Morgan and Harley hail from the same proud Manchester streets – the kind of tight community where everyone knows everyone. Cousins in every sense, they shared that classic Mancunian spirit: loyal, loud, and full of life.

Harley’s love of rap mirrored the music scene that shaped so many local lads, including Morgan’s pal Aitch. The loss has hit the extended family hard, with Sarah Newlove (Harley’s mum) and the wider circle left ‘broken’ and struggling to process the void.

Chanel Dillon, a close friend of the family who launched the page, wrote: ‘The smile he had could light up any room… let’s continue to make his family know how much he was loved.’

Fans rally: GoFundMe soars past £16k in days

Since Morgan’s post, donations have poured in from his 3+ million Instagram followers, YouTube subscribers, and fellow celebs. The page hit its target in record time, but every extra pound means more support for the funeral and ongoing family needs.

As of February 2, 2026, £16,520 has been raised from 248 generous donors – a testament to the power of one viral video from a genuine star.

The bigger picture: When celebrities use their voice for good

In an era of influencers chasing sponsorships, Angry Ginge’s response has been hailed as authentic and selfless. He didn’t have to share the news publicly – many stars keep family tragedies private. Instead, he turned his platform into a force for good, raising awareness and vital funds in Harley’s memory.

Psychologists say sharing grief like this helps normalise conversations around sudden loss, especially among young men in tight-knit communities.

Morgan’s mum Michelle, who has been his rock through the jungle and beyond, will no doubt be proud of how her son has handled this.

What’s next for the jungle king?

With the Match for Hope now played (results pending, but the real winners were the charities), Morgan returns to the UK to continue his post-jungle empire: more YouTube, potential TV deals, and endless opportunities.

But first, family comes first. The black armband may be off, but the memory of Harley – and the love shown by thousands – will stay forever.

Harley McNulty, forever 19. Fly high, lad.

If you can spare anything – even 50p – the link is live: GoFundMe for Harley. Every penny counts.

Rest in peace, Harley. Manchester will never forget you.