Why Beverley Callard was forced to leave I'm A Celebrity and all the other stars who have exited on medical grounds and their reasons why
Some of them had barely landed in Australia!
I’m A Celebrity stars don’t always stick it out in the jungle, and while many have quit for personal reasons, many, from Beverley Callard to Olivia Attwood, have all quit on medical grounds.
Here, we list every campmate who was left with no choice but to walk for health reasons.
Beverley Callard is the latest celeb who was forced to leave on medical grounds
During this year’s South Africa series, Corrie legend Beverley Callard was forced to quit due to her health.
In Tuesday’s (April 21) episode, Beverley revealed she had no choice but to exit the show.
As she broke down in tears, she said: “I didn’t feel very well this morning, I had a bit of a funny turn. They said I can’t come back in, I’ve got to come home. I’ve got to come out.”
Expressing that she didn’t want to leave, her fellow campmates supported her and insisted she needed to put her health first.
“I’m absolutely gutted,” she added. “I wanted to prove that older women could do it.”
Earlier this year, Beverley announced she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. During her time on the show, she was unaware she had cancer.
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Why Spencer Matthews quit I’m A Celeb in 2015
Spencer Matthews was forced to leave I’m A Celebrity after just two days in the jungle in 2015.
The Made in Chelsea star had been taking “steroid-based medication” ahead of a charity boxing match. These meds were illegal in Australia, and with the risk of side effects, the show’s production team decided it was unsafe for him to continue.
“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 explained (as per BBC News).
“When I started taking this programme of pills, it was in preparation for a charity boxing match which, ironically, never took place.
“Vanity, I suppose, had been the reason for wanting to bulk up a bit for the fight. I had intended to come off the pills gradually, but there was no time to do this before I reached the jungle.”
Spencer admitted it was “extremely hard to stomach”, and while he pushed back at first, “the show’s duty of care prevailed and bags had to be packed”. He called it a “serious error of judgement” on his part.
I’m A Celebrity stars Grace Dent and Jamie Lynn Spears quit in 2023
MasterChef’s new co-host Grace Dent left on medical grounds three years ago.
After fans of the reality series expressed their concern for her health, I’m A Celebrity bosses pulled the plug on her jungle stay.
However, a few days later, Britney Spears’ sister Jamie Lynn Spears followed suit. She’d repeatedly threatened to leave the camp and eventually stood by her words.
A spokesperson for the show said in a statement at the time: “Jamie Lynn Spears has left I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! on medical grounds. She’s been a fantastic campmate who has triumphed at trials and bonded well with her fellow celebrities”.
Olivia Attwood (2022)
Reality TV personality Olivia Attwood appeared in just a single episode back in 2022. That’s got to be a record.
“As a precautionary measure, Olivia needed to leave the jungle to undergo some medical checks,” revealed a spokesperson. “Unfortunately, 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.”
Richard Madeley (2021)
Good Morning Britain host Richard Madeley was part of the original Gwrych Castle cast of 2021. However, he was rushed to the hospital, meaning Madeley had left the show’s COVID-19 bubble.
“Our strict COVID protocols means Richard has sadly had to leave the show as he is no longer in the bubble the celebrities form when entering the castle,” read the official ITV line. “He has been a truly brilliant campmate and we thank him for being part of this series.”
Lady C quit I’m A Celeb in 2015
Lady Colin Campbell, the fan-favourite outspoken socialite who didn’t suffer fools (or anyone) gladly, left the jungle early in 2015.
Reports at the time stated that Lady C (who was 66) left the show on medical grounds.
However, in an interview with Newsbeat, her agent Mike Hollingsworth suggested there may be more to the story.
“I could see the tension in the camp was building up. There was a lot of bullying going on and I think there was an element of misogyny as well,” he alleged.
Meanwhile, in 2024, Lady C told GB News that while she never watched the series back, the drama surrounding her in camp “made for good television”.
“It ultimately did me absolutely no harm because the British people took me to their hearts. The British people like somebody who’s feisty,” she said.
I’m A Celebrity star Brian Conley in 2013
Brian Conley was hospitalised on I’m A Celebrity 13 years ago. Doctors diagnosed him with malnutrition and exhaustion.
While on ITV talkshow Lorraine, he explained: “It is under extreme circumstances and I started to feel really bad because in the end, very shortly after that, I did have to leave. I had an examination and they found I had malnutrition and was suffering from exhaustion.
“They sedated me in hospital and gave me a tablet that would probably knock out a horse for two days. I woke up with a saline drip in my arm thinking, ‘What on earth has happened here?'”
Camilla Sacre-Dallerup (2009)
Strictly Come Dancing pro Camilla Dallerup’s worrying health caused her early exit in 2009.
She wasn’t happy with how things transpired, but admitted that she probably should’ve never signed up. Per The Sun, the dancer shared: “Before I flew to Australia, my doctor in London was really concerned about my weight because I couldn’t afford to lose any more.
“I’m very lean so I had no reserves to keep me going in the jungle. I wasn’t getting enough salt and sugar, and I started to get palpitations. I had memory loss, my speech was slurred and my hands were cramping.”
I’m A Celebrity stars Kimberly Davies and Elaine Lordan quit in 2005
Neighbours icon Kimberley Davies managed to fracture her rib during a Bushtucker Trial in 2005. That same day, she returned to civilisation.
EastEnders’ Elaine Lordan lost consciousness twice and producers removed her from camp earlier in the series.
“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,” a spokesperson announced.
“ITV has a responsibility to all of the celebrities taking part and given what has happened to Elaine on two separate occasions in as many days, and knowing what challenges lie ahead in the show, ITV has decided to err on the side of caution.”
I’m A Celebrity star Daniella Westbrook quit in 2003
I’m A Celebrity 2003’s Daniella Westbrook became the first-ever contestant to voluntarily leave; therefore, she deserves a mention. She lasted nine days in the Australian sweat.
“It was an interesting experience,” she later commented. “I am not going to say I enjoyed it, I didn’t enjoy one little bit, I couldn’t wait to get out of there.
“One thing I have learnt from the whole thing is I can’t deal with boredom, I am hopeless with it.”
