Ranked: I’m A Celeb campmates who quit the competition based on how good their excuses were

In the 20 years it has been on UK TV screens, I’m A Celeb has seen everyone from Richard Madeley to Katie Price quit the show. Not to be messy, but Gillian McKeith could never.

We love our kings and queens of the jungle, even if most of them are completely forgettable. Danny Jones joined the Australian royal family last week, which funnily enough also includes his McFly bandmate Dougie Poynter. But for every Dougie and Danny there’s a Gemma Collins, a contestant who somehow missed what I’m A Celeb is really about.

From getting bored to breaking the Covid bubble, here are the I’m A Celeb contestants who quit ranked by how good their excuses were.

20. Craig Charles – season 14

In 2014, Corrie actor Craig Charles withdrew from the competition after hearing news that his brother had died following a heart attack at his home in Spain. I’m A Celeb is obviously not as important as family, so Craig withdrew.

19. Grace Dent – season 23

In 2023, both Grace and the show’s producers decided it was best for her to leave the Australian jungle for some modern comforts as they feared for her health.

“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,” a spokesperson said.

18. Olivia Attwood – season 22

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We were all thrilled to see Olivia Attwood arrive in the jungle last year, but our excitement was incredibly short-lived; she left just 48 hours into her stint. Producers later revealed it was a precautionary measure after routine blood tests flagged her as a potential suspected anaemia risk with low sodium and potassium levels.

17. Camilla Dallerup – season nine

In 2009, Camilla Dallerup left I’m A Celeb due to the combination of exhaustion and feeling unwell, her tearful eyes becoming a familiar sight on TV as she struggled to do normal things like shower.

16. Brian Conley – season 12

Actor and comedian Brian Conley also had a tough time on the show, eventually leaving on day nine and coming dead last against the other campmates.

“I started feeling really bad, and very shortly after that I did have to leave. I found out I was [malnourished] and I was suffering from exhaustion, that’s what the doctor said,” Brian said, adding that he also couldn’t lie to producers about taking antidepressants.

15. Elaine Lordan – season five

After just 24 hours in the camp, Elaine Lordan was forced to withdraw after she fainted not once, but twice, in the short amount of time.

A spokesperson said at the time: “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. 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.”

14. Lady Colin Campbell – season 16

Lady C is one of the most iconic I’m A Celeb campmates with tons of quotable lines and an attitude that was often described as cold and calculating. Unfortunately, the combination of health issues and accusations of being bullied led to her leaving the jungle on day 17.

13. Jamie Lynn Spears – season 23

Just days after Grace Dent ditched the jungle for the comforts of the JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort, Jamie Lynn Spears followed her example and left the show over medical grounds.

“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,” a spokesperson said despite Jamie Lynn saying again and again that she didn’t want to be there.

12. Richard Madeley – season 21

Richard Madeley was part of that strange I’m A Celeb season set in Wales because of the Covid-19 pandemic. After being taken to hospital in the middle of the night, thereby breaking the Covid bubble, Richard was not able to return.

11. Brian Harvey – season four

Brian Harvey left the competition in 2004 and after twenty years we still can’t collectively agree on the reason. Some suggest it’s due to the passing of his grandmother, while others said it was down to arguments with campmates like Janet Street-Porter.

10. Kimberley Davies – season five

Neighbours actress Kimberley Davies withdrew from the show in 2005 after she cracked her rib during the iconic helicopter jump challenge. Unfortunately, because she failed to listen to the instructions properly, she injured herself when splashing into the water.

Painful yes, but you don’t get sympathy points for failing to read the instructions. Sorry, Kimberley.

9. Jack Maynard – season 17

In a rare inclusion on this list, Jack Maynard’s exit from I’m A Celeb had nothing to do with medical issues. Instead, he left the jungle to defend himself after racist and homophobic tweets resurfaced.

“In the last few days Jack has been the subject of a succession of media stories which, given his position as a contestant on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here – filmed in the Australian jungle, with no contact with the outside world, he has been unable to respond to,” his team said via a statement. “Since it is only fair that everyone should be aware of any allegations made against them and should also have the right to defend themselves, it was agreed that it would be better to bring him out of the show. Jack agrees with this decision which was made by his representatives and ITV and thanks everyone who has supported him in the show this far.”

8. Nigel Havers – season 10

Nigel Havers had one of the stranger I’m A Celeb exits, hurriedly leaving the Australian jungle when he didn’t like the idea of being given electric shocks.

“I’m not up for it, I don’t do electric shocks so I’m leaving. I cannot waste another second of my life,” he said.

7. George Hamilton – season nine

In 2009, actor George Hamilton withdrew from the competition because he didn’t have any intention of winning. So what was the point in going in?

George was just in the jungle for vibes.

6. Katie Price – season three/nine

Katie Price is the only contestant to have competed on the show twice. Though she came fifth in 2003, during her second stint in 2009 she withdrew from the competition over feelings of boredom and being voted into every bushtucker trial. Again, that’s kinda the point of the show, right?

5. Natalie Appleton – season four

Each year there’s one contestant who gets voted into every single bushtucker trial. Though some rise to the challenge and show the British public who they really are, others like Natalie Appleton fall under the pressure.

She fled the camp in the middle of the night upon finding out she had been voted in for a fifth bushtucker trial.

4. Gemma Collins – season 14

Somehow, Gemma Collins is one of the most iconic I’m A Celeb contestants despite being in the jungle for the grand time of 72 hours. Her short-lived stay was full of complaints and the moments we have come to associate with Gemma Collins, including the moment she believed she’d contracted malaria.

Though she seemed to leave the show for fairly minute reasons, she later took to Instagram with the full story.

“My time was short in the jungle not many people know that I was robbed and physically attacked 24 hours before leaving for Australia,” she said. “I didn’t want to let anyone down so I still went however I was in a terrible state and shock as you can imagine and couldn’t see it through I took lots of stick over it but if you was robbed and attacked and then sent into the jungle I’m sure you would have struggled too , I would never let anyone destroy my dreams again.”

3. Johnny Rotten – season four 

Despite being a favourite to win, Johnny Rotten famously left the camp in a tantrum after earlier calling the viewers arguably the worst (or best) expletive under the sun. He later described the show as a “con” that was inauthentic and staged.

Can someone check if Johnny finally understands that reality TV is mostly staged?

2. Daniella Westbrook – season two

Daniella Westbrook took part in one of the earliest iterations of the show and left on day nine. At the time she said it was because she missed her kids and hadn’t considered the true emotional impact of the TV show.

Fellow contestant and camp bestie Sian Lloyd said: “She was missing her family and her husband big time. I am quite confident that Danniella is absolutely fine now and that she is in the arms of her husband, that she has talked to her children and I am confident that she is happy to be out.”

1. Spencer Matthews – season 15

Spencer Matthews was at the centre of a steroids controversy in 2015 when he competed in I’m A Celeb. Having set up a boxing match for when he returned from the jungle, Spencer began taking Anvar which is illegal in Australia. Despite maintaining that producers knew he was on the drug, Spencer was kicked from the jungle as a result.

Though the decision was somewhat out of Spencer’s hands, if I can check what liquids I bring on a plane, he can surely check the legality of the drugs he is taking to another country.

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Featured image credit: ITV