I'm A Celeb campmates' health issues explained as two are excused from trials

1141     0
Nigel Farage has complained about his air time on I
Nigel Farage has complained about his air time on I'm a Celebrity after not being voted for a challenge (Image: James Gourley/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Each year, fans are left scratching their heads when I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here contestants are excused from the trials -but here's why.

Tonight Jamie Lynn Spears will literally reach for the stars as she daringly takes on her first sky-high I'm A Celebrity... challenge, Climb of Cruelty after hosts of the ITV reality show, Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly announced to viewers when the voting lines opened that Nigel Farage and Nella Rose were both exempt from taking part due to medical grounds.

In a toss-up between Sam Thompson and the Zoel 101 actress, Jamie was then named as the chosen celebrity. After hearing her name being called, GB News host Farage then complained about his air time on the show.

It comes after Nigel and Nella worked together to devour witchetty grub and kangaroo anus to earn the camp nine stars, while Nella was forced to crawl underground in an "evil villain's secret lair" before abandoning the trial altogether by shouting ' I'm A Celebrity!'

Ahead of Jamie's trial this evening, we take a look at the celebrities banned from challenges and why...

Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade eiqeuihxithinvTeachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade

Before the series kicked off, former UKIP leader Farage was asked about the trials he could avoid due to his severe injuries from a plane crash in 2010. He said: "Anything involving weightlifting, I'd be out. I've obviously had some quite serious physical injuries and neck reconstructions, and goodness knows what else.

"So they are fully aware that I'm a little bit damaged when it comes to bodily structure. But having said that, I can still do most things. I doubt any of the trials are actually going to kill me, although I don't think they'll all be a bag of fun. But look, I signed up for this. It's in for a penny in for a pound. So let's go."

Farage suffered long-lasting injuries after an aeroplane he was flying, displaying a banner with the slogan 'Vote for your country – Vote UKIP', crashed on polling day for the general election in 2010. He managed to escape the wreckage but suffered from a punctured lung, two chipped vertebrae, several fractured ribs and a fractured sternum.

Following the horror, a spokesperson said: "We've both had a miraculous escape. We are both very lucky to be alive. He's got two broken ribs, a small chip to his spine, and damage to his sternum." Three years later, he underwent an operation to help with the health problems caused by the crash, and told the BBC that he had a "couple of discs removed and replaced" in his back. In 2015, he admitted in the Telegraph that he was experiencing tremendous pain in his shoulder and back and had been prescribed the strong sleeping pill Temazepam.

He had been visiting the hospital twice a week for treatment and was struggling to raise his arms above a 45-degree angle. He added: "I think I am going to have to have medical treatment for the rest of my life." Before the accident, the 59-year-old also had a serious car crash in his 20s, and problems from the accidents combined have left him with the 'body of a 70-year-old'.

Meanwhile, Nella was also banned from the Climb of Cruelty trial due to 'medical grounds'. She successfully took part in a creepy challenge underground, so it may have something to do with heights.

The YouTuber discusses all manner of topics on her social media channels, however has only referred to her health on a few occasions. One instance where she spoke about her body came when detailing her weight loss journey when working on a campaign with My Protein - where she said she had gone from a size 14 to a 10-12 in one month. She also talked about maintaining good mental health.

The 26-year-old, who lost both of her parents at a young age, wrote a lengthy Instagram post about 'mastering' looking after her mind in the form of journaling and using affirmations. "It's really the little things that help me maintain a happy state of mind."

One campmate yet to be put through his paces with a challenge is First Dates star Fred Sirieix - however he might not be able to take part in some of the trials. Last December, the much-loved maître d' updated fans to reveal he was recovering from major surgery on his knees.

Sharing updates from the hospital bed, the 51-year-old posted a shot of his legs covered in bandages. Fred said: "Right... double knee operation was a success. I'm still coming around from the anaesthesia but all good! I'm about to have my Earl Grey tea."

Richard 'shuts up' GMB guest who says Hancock 'deserved' being called 'd***head'Richard 'shuts up' GMB guest who says Hancock 'deserved' being called 'd***head'

Another contestant who has spent time in hospital is EastEnders star Danielle Harold, who has also suffered from a debilitating health issue in her younger years, which she has thankfully recovered from. Danielle was in and out of school and almost gave up on her future when she was diagnosed at 15 with a painful chronic bladder infection.

She explained: "When I was in year 10 I fell ill and I was in and out of hospital. At that point I just gave up. I didn’t try with my GCSEs and I only got one. After that I worked as a waitress but I didn't really enjoy it. I lost all my confidence and I didn't believe in myself."

One happy camper who got into the best shape he could before going up against snakes and creepy crawlies is Hollyoaks' Nick Pickard, who overhauled his lifestyle before heading Down Under. Ahead of the show launch, he revealed he ditched booze to get in shape. He said: "I have not had a drink for five weeks. I was doing the stop October drinking challenge anyway and I have stuck to it since."

ITV declined to comment on which other celebrities might be exempt from trials.

I'm A Celebrity airs on November 19 on ITV at 9pm

Saffron Otter

Print page

Comments:

comments powered by Disqus