29 April 2023 , 00:10
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Gillian McKeith has described herself as Amir Khan's 'camp wife' following their stint in I’m A Celeb South Africa - and says she’s planning LA trips to hang out with new BFF Janice Dickinson.
The 63-year-old TV doctor has surprised her critics by making a return to the jungle for the 'all star' style South Africa based series.
The first stint on the original show back in 2010 ended in disaster and ridicule for Gillian - who was eliminated fifth and raised eyebrows when she appeared to fake fainting to try to get out of a task.
But she appeared to greatly enjoy her second shot on the show - not least because she has made a number of new friends.
Gillian McKeith has been reflecting on her latest I'm A Celeb stint (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)In a chat with the Mirror, Gillian explained that she is thrilled she can now call on 68-year-old American model Janice for new adventures in the USA.
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She said: “I loved Janice Dickinson, we hit it off and got on like a house on fire so I’ll be off to LA soon to hang out with her.
“She and I just got on brilliantly.”
She also explained her new close bond with Olympic boxer Amir, 36.
Janice Dickinson is among the returning contestants (ITV)She explained: “[Amir] and I got on really well as well. To the point that Jordan [Banjo] started to call me Gillian McKhan!”
Gillian also reflected on her past experience on I’m A Celeb which saw her clash with some of her fellow campmates of the time.
Instead, she found she gelled very well with the current crop of returning celebs.
She said: “It was just a different feeling when I went into camp this time. People just seemed to be really open and wanting to get on with each other.
Gillian and Shaun Ryder were the first to be eliminated from the spin-off show (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)“There was no negativity, it felt positive from the minute I got there. Everybody wanted to gel.
“I could feel that it was a very different experience from 2010. Much more positive, a polar opposite experience for me. I got to know Fatima [Whitbread] very well too.
“But I probably had more conversations with Helen [Flanagan], Fatima, Amir, Janice and Jordan. Plus, Phil [Tufnell] and Carol [Vorderman].
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“If I’d had been in there longer I would have got on with everyone I’m sure.”
Alas, Gillians time in the jungle came to a premature end a second time as she was voted off alongside Shaun Ryder on Friday night.
A string of stars have returned to take part in I'm A Celeb... South Africa (ITV)The remaining 13 contestants - which includes Andy Whyment, Dean Gaffney, Georgia Toffolo, Joe Swash, Myleene Klass and Paul Burrell - will continue to battle out for the jungle crown.
The series is pre-recorded, however, so is lacking the usual public vote which seals stars’ fates.
And it was reported that Janice was forced to drop out of the contest at some point after suffering injury.