I'm A Celebrity: All the contestants who have died since taking part in the ITV show
Six former contestants have died since taking part in I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here
I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here has been on the air for more than 20 years, and several contestants have died since participating in the show.
Last night (November 16), I’m A Celebrity 2025 kicked off on ITV, with the likes of Angry Ginge, Jack Osbourne, and Ruby Wax heading into the jungle.
They’ve joined a long line of famous faces who’ve gone up against creepy crawlies (and a diet of rice and beans).
Sadly, several contestants are no longer with us, having died after their time on the show.
Annabel Giles
Annabel Giles, a British radio and television presenter, appeared on the show in 2013. She was diagnosed with a brain tumour 10 years later, and she died at the age of 64 in 2023.
In a statement, her family said: “In July, Mum was diagnosed with a stage 4 Glioblastoma, a fast-growing and highly aggressive malignant brain tumour.
“In the four months that followed, she displayed remarkable resilience and strength, despite undergoing brain surgery and countless radiotherapies. In her final weeks, she was passionate about raising awareness for Glioblastoma, embodying her lifelong commitment to helping others.”
Giles was best known for hosting ITV’s Posh Frocks and New Trousers with Sarah Greene. She also appeared on Have I Got News For You and The Wright Stuff.
Bobby Ball
Bobby Ball, a comic, actor, and TV host, appeared on I’m A Celebrity in 2005.
Ball entered the jungle with Tommy Cannon, the duo behind the Cannon and Ball comedy double act. Cannon was voted out first, leaving Ball behind at camp with the other celebs.
He died in October 2020 at the age of 76 due to complications from COVID-19. “Rock on, my good friend, I can’t believe this, I’m devastated,” Cannon said in a statement.
Eric Bristow
Eric Bristow came fourth in the 2012 edition of the show. The world champion darts player was notably calm during the Bushtucker Trials, even when pulling himself through a dark tunnel full of spiders and other creatures.
The star died in 2019, aged 60, while visiting a Premier League Darts event in Liverpool.
Bobby George, a fellow darts player, said: “He just came in, said hello and had a pint, then said see ya. I said see ya because I was working… He went across the road, and two-and-a-half hours later, he was gone.”
Freddie Starr
Freddie Starr, a stand-up comedian and impressionist, appeared on I’m A Celebrity in 2011.
He was forced to withdraw from the series early due to a “severe allergic reaction from an unknown origin”. During his time on the show, he took part in one of the show’s most infamous Bushtucker Trials, eating mouse tails and turkey testicles.
He died in May 2019, aged 76, in his home in Mijas, on the Costa del Sol, Spain. A post-mortem confirmed he died from heart disease.
Tara Palmer-Tomkinson
Tara Palmer-Tomkinson appeared in the first-ever series of I’m A Celebrity. She came second to Tony Blackburn, but she impressed campmates and viewers alike with her confidence in the Bushtucker Trials.
Palmer-Tomkinson was a socialite, former model, and TV personality. She appeared on several shows, such as Blind Date, Top Gear, and Comic Relief Does Fame Academy.
She died at the age of 45 in January 2016, later revealed to be due to peritonitis and a perforated ulcer.
Darren Day, who joined her in the jungle, tweeted: “I’m so sad to hear that Tara Palmer-Tomkinson has passed away. Thoughts and love to her family RIP Tara.”
David Gest
David Gest was a fan favourite on the 2006 series of I’m A Celebrity.
He came fourth and became close to his campmates; in one of the year’s most memorable moments, he teared up at everyone’s fond memories of him in the show.
Gest was best known as a TV personality, acting as a judge on Soapstar Superstar and appearing on shows like Gordon Ramsay’s The F Word and Celebrity Big Brother.
He died in 2016 at the age of 62 after suffering a stroke in a hotel in London. Dean Gaffney, one of his fellow campmates, wrote: “Never have I lost a best friend before and this pain hurts harder than anything I’ve experienced. RIP David Gest, I love you brother.”
Read more: I’m A Celebrity medic on shocking reason why the campmates wear red socks
