Grace Dent was forced to leave I'm A Celeb over 'scarily unwell' appearance

27 November 2023 , 10:57

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Grace Dent was forced to leave I'm A Celeb over 'scarily unwell' appearance

Grace Dent was forced to leave I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! after ITV bosses were concerned about her 'scarily unwell' appearance, according to reports.

The food critic, 50, quit the show today after seven days in the Australian jungle. Grace looked crestfallen when she was told she would be doing another challenge in last night's show as viewers took to social media saying they were worried about her.

Now, a source has suggested the MasterChef star's decision to leave the camp was made mutually between herself and ITV, after the columnist 'visibly deteriorated'. They said: "Grace decided to leave the jungle soon after it was announced that she would be doing the latest Bushtucker Trial.

Grace Dent seemed a lot happier before she went into the jungle (Tim Merry/Mirror Express)

Grace Dent looked a shadow of her former self as sh was pictured at the airport hours after leaving camp (Tim Merry/Mirror Express)

"Knowing that she would be facing another tough challenge was the straw that broke the camel's back. It was mutually agreed upon that she would stand down from the competition, it was clear that she wasn't being herself, she had lost all energy when usually she's witty and fun to be around. ITV's duty of care and welfare teams had stepped in, and rightly so," reports MailOnline.

The source added Grace 'hadn't been eating well', pointing out this was particularly hard for a restaurant critic, who admitted she had tucked into lots of luxury food before her challenging stint Down Under.

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Grace looked like she had been struggling with jungle life after threatening to quit the show last week. However, when she was told by hosts Ant and Dec she was up for another Bushtucker Trial on Sunday, she seemed defeated, prompting fans to share their concern for her health on social media.

Taking to X formerly Twitter, one viewer said: "I’m getting worried for Grace." Another said: "A bit worried about Grace Dent," as a third predicted: "Honestly think Grace might leave some time next week." Another comment read: "I can see grace leaving the camp soon, she looked so depressed and zoned out," while a fifth fan said: "Reckon Grace is going to bail....."

Grace is usually very glamorous when she's judging the MasterChef competition (BBC/Shine TV)

Confirming the news she had quit today, ITV said: "Unfortunately Grace Dent has left the show on medical grounds. She has been a great campmate and will be missed by her fellow celebrities and viewers alike."

The writer was seen at Brisbane Airport this morning, just hours after exit was confirmed by ITV as a source told the Mirror: "She is heading back to London today. She is tired and she just wants to get home." Grace looked glum as she made her way into departures, sporting thick-rimmed black glasses and gold earrings as she was flanked by security from the show.

*I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! continues on ITV on Monday at 9pm

Victoria Johns