Felicity “Flick” Palmateer made the decision to remain on Australian Survivor after the death of her mum – but it wasn’t easy for her.
Flick revealed her tragic family situation during the emotional episode as she fought back tears and explained her mum was living in care.
The moment caused confusion within the camp when producers whisked her away for an important phone call.
Once she returned to her fellow Survivors, she opened up about coming onto the show despite her situation at home.
“Honestly, looking back, I don’t know how I got through it,” the professional surfer tells TV WEEK.
“There were definitely moments where I had some extreme breakdowns and I felt like I couldn’t keep going.”
Flick’s mother Pauline was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia six years ago, when she was only 46.
Flick taking a selfie with her late mum.
(Credit: Instagram)“In some ways, I had been grieving my mum’s passing for the past six years,” Flick, 28, explains.
“The last three years, she was non-verbal and in a wheelchair, and her quality of life towards the end was terrible.”
The Survivor crew and Flick’s tribemates were all supportive after her mum’s passing, but Dani more than anyone – even though Flick had written down her name at Tribal Council.
“The last three years, she was non-verbal and in a wheelchair.”
(Credit: Channel Ten)“We haven’t seen the soft side of Dani that much, but she was there for me like a sister,” Flick says.
“She’s my cuddle buddy. We slept next to each other and talked late at night when I needed to. She was there in some of my darkest hours, so I couldn’t be more grateful.”
Australian Survivor: Brains V Brawn airs Monday and Tuesday, and Sunday, 7.30pm, on 10.
