BORIS BECKER is in “deep mourning” after his mother died aged 89.
Elvira Becker passed away at her apartment in Germany, having stood by the three-time Wimbledon champion throughout his highs and lows.
The tennis legend was reportedly informed by phone and returned to her home town of Leimen, Baden-Württemberg, where he was born.
Elvira died on Thursday, the day before her son’s 57th birthday.
Their relationship was especially close as she was always by his side – as much, if not more during the troubled periods that followed his celebrated career on the court.
Those problems included financial issues, with the five-time Grand Slam winner jailed in Britain for seven months in 2022 for bankruptcy offences.
It’s there where her bond with her son was perhaps needed most, as it’s understood her phone calls helped keep him going.
Unfortunately, Elvira’s weakening health and mobility difficulties meant she was unable to see him get married for the third time, to Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro in Italy two months ago.
But mum and son remained as close as ever.
When visiting her back in May, Becker posted photos on Instagram alongside the message: “The one and only… Elvira! Happy Mother’s Day.”
The former World No1’s lawyer Oliver Moser said on Thursday: “I can confirm the death of Elvira Becker. Boris Becker is in deep mourning.”
Her husband Karl-Heinz, who died from cancer in 1999, was a major figure in his emergence as Wimbledon’s youngest ever winner, aged 17 in 1985.
Of course, Elvira was at SW19 that day in July 39 years ago to see her unseeded son make history.
An incredible occasion made all the more remarkable as, having been born Elvira Pisch, she fled Czechoslovakia with her family in or after the Second World War.
I’M A Celeb viewers think they’ve deduced the ‘real reason’ for Dean McCullough’s contraband rule break.
Radio 1 DJ Dean covertly smuggled teabags into the Australian jungle camp.
In Wednesday’s episode, fans saw Dean confess all to campmate Jane Moore.
After revealing he had teabags, Dean told the Loose Women star: “So if I pour you a cup of tea just, would you prefer it tonight or tomorrow?
“Would you prefer it in the morning?”
Taking to X – formerly Twitter – viewers reckon they’ve caught on to Dean’s intentions.
One fan wrote: “Dean pretending to keep his teabags secret because he knows jungle smugglers get more airtime.”
Another added: “Not Dean whispering about tea bags like he hasn’t got a mic and 10 cameras on him.”
A third commented: “Dean can’t keep his mouth shut about his teabags.”
While a fourth remarked: “Can’t believe Dean admitted he brought teabags into the camp when there are cameras everywhere and he’s wearing a microphone.”
Yet another penned:” Dean’s played a blinder here.
“Come on, it’s not about keeping the teabags hidden, it’s about being a lead character and this is another perfect move.”
The camp soon faced severe consequences, however, for using the teabags.
Radio 1 DJ Melvin Odoom completed a challenge to win 10 cupcakes – one for each celebrity.
He was devastated afterwards as half the cupcakes were taken away as punishment.
Campmates received orders to bring any remaining contraband to the Bush Telegraph – although another revelation came to light.
By Conor O’Brien
I’m A Celebrity is no stranger to a camp scandal – and this year’s seems to be “Teagate”.
Radio 1 DJ Dean McCullough smuggled teabags into camp although it hasn’t taken long for chiefs to realise this.
The teabags were brazenly used in plain sight, with little to no attempt to hide their presence.
After Ant and Dec warned repercussions were on the way, the campmates faced severe consequences.
Melvin Odoom won 10 cupcakes in a challenge – only for five to be taken away as punishment for contraband.
Later, it also transpired Melvin slyly gave Tulisa seasoning for the first night’s dinner.
Tulisa revealed someone subtly gave her seasoning to use in the first night’s dinner.
As the N-Dubz singer handed it in – having never used the seasoning – Melvin admitted to having brought it.
What drama will unfold next in camp?
I’m A Celebrity continues on ITV1 and ITVX.
