I'm A Celebrity: Why Kiosk Keith was suddenly axed and replaced by Kev
Kiosk Keith left the jungle in 2018, and he's not been seen in the show since
I’m A Celebrity contestants have already paid a few visits to Kiosk Kev this year – but, once upon a time, it used to be Kiosk Keith.
When they’re not doing Bushtucker Trials (which have been accused of being too easy this year), the show’s celebs often get the opportunity to win treats from Kiosk Kev in Deals On Wheels challenges.
Played by Mark Herlaar, the bearded, po-faced clerk has become a staple of the series since his introduction in 2018. Earlier this week, he shocked fans when he broke character with a wink at Ruby Wax.
However, longtime viewers will remember someone else manning the jungle kiosk: Keith.
What happened to Kiosk Keith in I’m A Celebrity?
Kiosk Keith – real name Raymond Grant – disappeared halfway through 2017’s I’m A Celebrity, with Ant and Dec claiming he’d fallen ill.
In January 2018, ITV confirmed that he wouldn’t be coming back to the jungle. “Ray is no longer under contract on the show. There are no plans for him to return this year,” a statement read.
So, what really happened? Grant had been hired as a set builder for the first-ever series of I’m A Celebrity in 2002. He made his screen debut as Kiosk Keith in 2013, quickly becoming a fan favourite.
The reasons behind his unexpected departure have never been fully confirmed by ITV, but there have been accusations of inappropriate behaviour on set.
Specifically, a source alleged to The Sun: “It wasn’t unusual for Keith to turn up to work drunk as he’s done it before but this incident has shocked everyone.
“He was drunk when he got on the bus in the morning. Then he behaved inappropriately towards a female member of the team who’s half his age. It happened in front of loads of people, the girl was so upset.
“As soon as she made a complaint Keith was sacked.”
Kiosk Keith’s ex-wife defends former I’m A Celeb star
Donna, the star’s ex-wife, spoke out against the allegations shortly after they emerged online.
“It was just a pat on the arse. It’s been made out to be he’s some kind of sexual predator. He’s not at all,” she told The Sun in 2018, claiming that “everyone laughed” when it happened.
“She went to the bosses and said it was sexual harassment,” Donna continued.
“I’m not condoning that he slapped her on the bottom. No one wants that. But he’s being made out to be this horrible man when he really isn’t.”
Donna told the publication that while they’ve had “a lot of differences”, she doesn’t believe Keith is a “sexual predator”.
“I just wanted to get the truth out there so people know that he isn’t some kind of horrible predator,” she added.
Read more: I’m A Celebrity star defends Kelly Brook from ongoing public backlash: ‘It’s unfair’
