Grace Dent's I'm A Celeb journey was a 'mental battle rather than physical one'

28 November 2023 , 09:57

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Grace Dent's camp exit was reportedly mutually decided between the star and ITV bosses (Image: ITV)

Grace Dent I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! journey was a 'mental battle' for her, it has been claimed.

It's claimed the MasterChef star's jungle departure was "mutually decided between Grace and show bosses" after ITV bosses grew concerned over her "visible deterioration in camp" and stepped in. The BBC food critic, 50, was pictured at Brisbane Airport hours after ITV announced on Monday morning that she was exiting the reality show early.

Later the same day, I'm A Celebrity viewers watched as Grace's emotional message to her fellow campers was revealed. Hollyoaks actor Nick Pickard was the one to read out the letter from Grace on Monday night's instalment of I'm A Celebrity. "My dear campmates, I’m so sorry to let you down. I have left the camp for medical reasons," Grace's touching letter to the celebrity camp began.

The MasterChef star appeared to be struggling during her final few days in camp (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

"My heart is broken, I have loved and enjoyed getting to know you all. You’ve held me up and it’s been a pleasure being your friend through this experience. Leaving you all at this stage will be one of the saddest things in my life. I love you all. Your friend, Miss Grace Dent."

Speaking to the MailOnline on Monday, an I'm A Celebrity insider claimed Grace made the decision to quit camp after discovering she would be the next star to take on a Bushtucker Trial – claiming the thought of facing the challenge alongside Josie Gibson "the straw that broke the camel's back."

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"It was mutually agreed 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," the source alleged. "ITV's duty of care and welfare teams had stepped in, and rightly so."

The TV insider went on to tell the publication how Grace had found living in the camp with less amenities tough and not eating well proved to be harder than the restaurant critic could ever imagine. "Grace is looking forward to seeing her loved ones now and after a few days of rest and recovery will be fine," the concluded when discussing the star's health and I'm A Celebrity exit.

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly addressed Grace's exit as they opened Monday's edition of I'm A Celebrity. "Sadly Grace Dent has left the camp for medical reasons but she’s doing fine and we all send her our best," Ant told viewers before catching up with the star-studded camp.

ITV confirmed Grace's departure from camp earlier in the day, with a spokesperson for the broadcaster saying in a statement: "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."

Grace was then spotted Brisbane Airport hours after her 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." The star looked glum as she made her way into departures, flanked by security from the show. Grace had been picked to do the latest trial Down The Tubes but barely reacted and stayed mute the entire time hosts Ant and Dec were in camp.

Zoe Delaney