All the I'm A Celebrity contestants that quit show early and their reasons why
I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! is considered to be one of the toughest reality shows out there, and a number of contestants have seriously struggled over the years.
And can we blame them? Imagine camping out in the Aussie jungle for weeks with hardly any food, all while being constantly surrounded by creepy crawlies and snoring celebrities.
Even though a pretty pay package is guaranteed for contestants, many have left the jungle early during the show's two decade stint on ITV, and there's been a whole variety of reasons why, from serious accidents to drug-related incidents.
Jamie Lynn Spears - 2023
The sister of pop star Britney Spears left the show on 'medical grounds', ITV said.
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"I will be taking some time to recovery and spend time with my family, but looking forward to sharing all about my journey on @imacelebrity with everyone! Love yallll," she said at the time.
Grace Dent - 2023
ITV said the food critic also left the show on 'medical grounds' just before, as Dent said she wanted to 'keep alive in my heart the huge personal breakthroughs'.
She said she was 'physically stronger than I thought; I can carry a lot of logs and water up hill, build fire and eat hare innards at dawn for breakfast'.
Olivia Attwood - 2022
The Love Island star quit I'm A Celeb after just 24 hours after ITV said 'the medical team has advised it is not safe for Olivia to return to camp as there needs to be further investigation'.
"She has been absolutely brilliant and she’ll be very much missed on the show," they added.
After a few days Atwood appeared on This Morning to say that she was anaemic and had low potassium levels.
Richard Madeley - 2021
The TV presenter was taken to hospital as a precaution after he fell ill on the show.
"I think what happened to me was I got dehydrated. I think that’s all it was," he explained on Good Morning Britain. "But dehydration, if anyone’s ever suffered from it, is actually quite disturbing."
Jack Maynard - 2017
The brother of Conor Maynard left the camp after two days due to allegations of racism and homophobia from past tweets.
Maynard's publicist said at the time: "In the last few days Jack Maynard has been the subject of a succession of media stories which, given his position as a contestant on I’m a Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! – filmed in the Australian jungle, with no contact with the outside world – he has been unable to respond to.
"Since it is only fair that everyone should be aware of any allegations made against them and should also have the right to defend themselves, it was agreed that it would be better to bring him out of the show."
The YouTuber apologised over the tweets that were posted between 2011 and 2013, saying: "I’m sorry to anyone that I upset, anyone that I offended, anyone I made feel uncomfortable."
Spencer Matthews - 2015
Matthews quit I'm A Celeb after just six days in the jungle and admitted to making a 'serious error' by taking 'steroid-based medication' in preparation for a charity boxing match.
"Shortly after I arrived in Australia I told the production team that I was taking a steroid-based medication that had begun some weeks ago," he said.
"When I started taking this programme of pills it was in preparation for a charity boxing match which, ironically, never took place.
Lady Colin Campbell - 2015
Campbell proved to be one of the more controversial contestants after refusing to take part in a number of the Bushtucker Trials and doing laundry.
Despite arguing with a number of celebs, ITV said she left the show on medical grounds.
Gemma Collins - 2014
Collins lasted just three days and her reason for leaving was simply because she wasn't having a good time. At least she's honest, right?
"People who murder get treated better than this," she joked at the time.
Although, eight years after her exit, she said there was another reason for leaving.
"My time was short in the jungle and not many people know that I was robbed and physically attacked 24 hours before leaving for Australia," she wrote on Instagram. I didn’t want to let anyone down, so I still went in.
"However, I was in a terrible state and shock as you can imagine and couldn’t see it through."
Craig Charles - 2014
Sadly, the Coronation Street star left the show following the death of his brother.
"Craig decided to leave the camp earlier today and will be heading back to his family in the UK. We send our sincere condolences to Craig and his family," ITV said.
Brian Conley - 2012
On the complicated reason for his exit, comedian Brian Conley said: "I started feeling really bad, and very shortly after that I did have to leave. I found out I was [malnourished] and I was suffering from exhaustion, that’s what the doctor said.
"I felt bad because it was out of my control, it was [the producer’s] decision… I couldn’t lie to them [about not taking the antidepressants]."
Freddie Starr - 2011
The late Freddie Starr quit the show after three days because of an allergic reaction during a Bushtucker Trial.
"I was sick not to finish the show. I wanted to be there until the very end but there’s no use crying over spilt milk," he said.
Nigel Havers - 2010
Actor Nigel Havers left I'm A Celeb after refusing to receive an electric shock. He then came back, and then left again.
Katie Price - 2009
2009 was Price's second time on the series and the glam model quickly became fed up with all of the challenges, leaving after a week.
"People can see I’m genuine. I just don’t want to be here anymore," she said.
George Hamilton - 2009
The actor left less than a week before the final for a pretty unique reason, telling contestant Kim Woodburn: "Here’s the thing, I’m going to tell you what I’m thinking... they’re people who are starting careers. I’m at a point where this is fun to do. I’m not going to go head-to-head, so I’m thinking about leaving, pulling out tomorrow."
Kimberley Davies - 2005
The former Neighbours star fractured her ribs after jumping 15ft from a helicopter to hit a target floating in water during one of the Bushtucker Trials in the series.
Elaine Lordan - 2005
The Eastenders actor was forced to leave the show after collapsing twice in just 24 hours.
"We have given a great deal of thought and consideration to Elaine’s situation and have decided that she won’t be returning to the jungle," said an ITV spokesperson.
Brian Harvey - 2004
The singer had a heated conversation with Janet Street Porter and left shortly afterwards.
We still don't know the official reason why.
Natalie Appleton - 2004
The number of Bushtucker trials was the reason Appleton gave for her early departure.
John Lydon - 2004
The former Sex Pistols singer said he left after 11 days because he got 'bored' and missed eating chocolate.
Fair enough.
Daniella Westbrook - 2003
Westbrook was the first ever contestant to leave I'm A Celeb as she struggled with the idea of being so far away from home.
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Topics: Celebrity, Im A Celebrity, TV, UK News
Anish Vij