I’m a Celeb hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly give health update on Grace Dent as ITV viewers praise show for stepping in after food critic quit show for ‘medical reasons’

•  READ MORE: Meet the 2023 I’m A Celeb campmates

The ITV presenters revealed the ‘big news’ that the MasterChef star, 50, had departed the show for ‘medical reasons’. 

Within three hours of the announcement being made Grace was spotted at Brisbane Airport as she made her return to the United Kingdom.

Ant said: ‘A day of big news in the jungle and sadly, Grace Dent has left the camp for medical reasons but she’s doing fine and we all send our best.’

Viewers saw the celebrities receive a letter from Grace after she had already departed the jungle. 

Confirmation: Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly confirmed to I’m A Celebrity …Get Me Out Of Here! viewers that Grace Dent had left the jungle on Monday but was ‘doing fine’

‘We all send our best’: The ITV presenters revealed the ‘big news’ that the MasterChef star, 50, had departed the show for ‘medical reasons’

Nick read her statement aloud: ‘My Dear campmates, I’m so sorry to let you down. I have left the camp for medical reasons. 

‘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.’

Campmates Frankie Dettori shouted: ‘Grace, we miss you,’ while a tearful, Danielle Harold also said: ‘Love you, Grace.’

Fans quickly took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to say they are ‘not surprised Grace had left’ due to looking unhappy for a while. 

One wrote: ‘Not overly surprised grace dent has left she hasn’t been happy for days’

Another said: ‘Grace Dent will be missed!!’

A third penned: ‘It’s sad to see Grace has gone, hope she’s doing ok’

‘We didn’t really get to see much of her though so not really gonna miss her too much on the show #ImACelebrity #ImaCeleb,’ added another. 

 ‘How can they all say they’re all going to miss Grace she barely did anything in #ImaCeleb and was a constant misery,’ said another. 

Ant said : ‘A day of big news in the jungle and sadly, Grace Dent has left the camp for medical reasons but she’s doing fine and we all send our best’

Medical: It was revealed Grace had decided to leave the jungle after ‘losing all her energy’ in camp and reaching breaking point as she faced the prospect of doing another Bushtucker Trial

‘Could tell she was struggling’: Fans quickly took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to say they are ‘not surprised Grace had left’ due to looking unhappy for a while

Third highest votes: Grace had been voted to take on Monday’s Down The Tubes challenge alongside Josie Gibson but was replaced by Danielle Harold

A sixth wrote: ‘I am genuinely gonna miss Grace , But she wasn’t cut out for the Jungle life. bless her #ImACelebrity #ImaCeleb you could tell she was struggling’.

It was revealed Grace had decided to leave the jungle after ‘losing all her energy’ in camp and reaching breaking point as she faced the prospect of doing another Bushtucker Trial. 

The food critic refused to talk to press at the airport and kept her head down as she rushed through the terminal.

Grace failed to raise a smile as she waited to check in and was spotted repeatedly rubbing her elbow as she waited in line.

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At one point she was spotted using her phone as a mirror after she had sparked concerns among viewers with her ‘unwell’ appearance in the jungle. 

After checking in Grace was down the escalator through a VIP entrance by her security team.

An insider has since revealed to MailOnline that Grace’s jungle exit was mutually decided between Grace and show bosses, who had intervened after seeing her visible deterioration in camp.

A source close to the MasterChef star revealed: ‘Grace decided to leave the jungle soon after it was announced that she would be doing the latest Bushtucker Trial.

‘Knowing that she would be facing another tough challenge was the straw that broke the camel’s back.’

They continued: ‘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.

‘ITV’s duty of care and welfare teams had stepped in, and rightly so.

‘She had struggled since living in the camp with less amenities, the weather this year has been particularly miserable and as a restaurant critic, not eating well proved to be harder than she could have ever imagined.

‘Grace is looking forward to seeing her loved ones now and after a few days of rest and recovery will be fine.’

Grace has struggled since kicking off her journey filming the Pole Position trial on Friday, November 24 and last week threatened to quit the show.

ITV confirmed her departure on Sunday with a statement that read: ‘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 had been voted to take on Monday’s Down The Tubes challenge alongside Josie Gibson.

She was replaced by Danielle Harold in the trial, who received the third most votes from the public.

I’m A Celebrity 2023: Meet the campmates

NIGEL FARAGE

Claim to fame: Former leader of the UK Independence Party  and leader of the Brexit Party.

Phobias: Nobody likes rats, snakes and I am dreading anything to do with heights.

Biggest misconception you want to dispel?: I have been demonised over the years and so it will be nice to show people I am not nasty. 

Role in camp: Lead on starting up plenty of campfire discussions. 

Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp?: A pint in the pub and the news. 

Best & worst attributes: I hope to cheer people up when they are down. Worst? I am impatient and I do snore. 

Dream camper: As a controversial political media figure, I never name names… But I am looking forward to meeting interesting people from all different fields 

DANIELLE HAROLD

Claim to fame: EastEnders actress.

Phobias: Rats. I hate them! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I can be a little ditzy at times but I am definitely not a ‘dumb blonde’. I want to show I can do the trials, challenges and get stuck in. 

Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on, help others if they are feeling low in camp. 

Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Snacking. I am a little muncher and I am going to miss my morning cup of tea, too! 

Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I will be good if people are really struggling. I am not, however, very good at being bored, nor am I a morning person either. 

Dream camper: Ed Sheeran. If he brings his guitar into camp, he can sing for us.

FRED SIRIEIX

Claim to fame: First Dates star.

Phobias: I am scared of everything. I am dying to find out how vile the food will be! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I don’t think there is anything but I am looking forward to learning more about myself during my time in the camp. 

Role in camp: I will definitely muck in with all the jobs. I don’t mind cooking or cleaning the toilets. 

Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My bed. It’s super comfy. I will also miss a cup of coffee in the morning. 

Best & worst attributes: I like to have fun but I do snore and I am impatient! 

Dream camper: It’s going to be nice to meet everyone but I’d love to see Dolly Parton, The Rock or Snoop Dog in there.

NELLA ROSE

Claim to fame: YouTuber and Catfish UK star. 

Phobias: I am fearful of everything! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle? I am a pretty open book. 

Role in camp: Keep the morale and humour high.

Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My phone… I am always on it! 

Dream camper: Alison Hammond or Adele. 

NICK PICKARD

Claim to fame: Hollyoaks star. 

Phobias: I am a bit scared of the dark. When you go to the House of Horrors at Halloween and things jump out at you, I am not very good when I can’t see! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: It will be nice to go in as me and not as my Hollyoaks character. 

Role in camp: Grafter or chef, I am quite good at cooking. But I’ve never cooked on a fire before. Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp: Football and my creature comforts. 

Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am a nice person and a good team player. I am not lazy but I do have a few bad habits like picking my nose. My girlfriend has been trying to train me to stop! 

Dream camper: Sir Alex Ferguson or Neil Warnock. 

FRANKIE DETTORI

Claim to fame: Champion Jockey

Phobias: I am not sure as I don’t walk across rooftop planks in the middle of the day nor do I have any snakes or rats in the house!

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: None. I’ve lived in the public domain for as long as I can remember so I’d hope everyone knows me well.

Role in camp: To have fun with everyone, I am a happy-go- lucky person.

Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? Travelling. I have spent my whole life at airports and I’ve got to like it!

Best & worst attributes: I am outgoing and I am a fighter. Worst? I can’t sit still and I am impatient.

Dream camper: Robbie Williams would be fun.

JAMIE LYNN SPEARS

Claim to fame: Zoey 101 and Sweet Magnolias star.

 Phobias: I am scared of everything.

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I think this is a nice chance to show who I really am.

Role in camp: Hopefully I will be the one who can support everyone. 

Aside from family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? A normal bathroom, air conditioning and my bed. 

Best & worst attributes: I think my best quality is it takes a lot to hurt my feelings; but I am impatient and my family would say I get in a bad mood a lot. 

Dream camper: Nicole Kidman, she is my favourite actress in the whole wide world, or Reece Witherspoon.

SAM THOMPSON

Claim to fame: Made In Chelsea star and radio presenter. 

Phobias: I am not a creepy crawly guy and I hate anyone or anything touching my neck. 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: Since the age of 21, I’ve spent my whole life on TV and so I feel whether people have a good or bad opinion of me, it’s probably warranted!

Role in camp: I’m a ‘yes’ man so cooking, cleaning I will do whatever they want me to do. 

Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: I know this sounds lame but gaming. 

Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am the court jester and I don’t take things too seriously, so if anyone is having a bad day I would like to put a smile on their face. Worst? I am quite forgetful and I am bad at focusing on things. 

Dream camper: Stephen Fry. I think I would self-combust if he was going in the jungle! 

JOSIE GIBSON

Claim to fame: This Morning presenter.

Phobias: Insects and I freeze every time I see a spider and I am not sure what I am going to do if I am in a trial with them! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I would like people to know I am very clever at knowing useless information! 

Role in camp: Mum. I am very motherly and I also love chatting to people. 

Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Getting up to blow dry my hair and putting a bit of make-up on! 

Best & worst attributes: I am an optimist and I love meeting people from all walks of life. Worst? I can be quite nosey and I am worried about my temper if I am too hungry. 

Dream camper: Dawn French, I love her. 

MARVIN HUMES

Claim to fame: JLS star.

Phobias: Heights. I have pulled out of a skydive with JLS in the past because I was too scared! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: To show I am not just a member of a boy band. It will be nice for people to learn more about me. 

Role in camp: I’d like to think I will be a shoulder to cry on and a mediator. 

Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: My fantasy football app! I am obsessed with it! Four weeks without music is a long time, too. 

Best & worst attributes: I’ve got three children under the age of ten and you definitely need a lot of patience for that! Worst? Rochelle would probably say I get ‘hangry’ if I don’t have enough food. 

Dream camper: Paddy McGuinness – I’ve done Soccer Aid with him before and I know he’s funny, he gets stuck in and he is hands on.

GRACE DENT

Claim to fame: MasterChef star and food critic. 

Phobias: Horrible people. 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: People think I am quite forthright and scary but I don’t think I am scary! Hopefully people will see this. 

Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on and I am a practical cook so I can help out. 

Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My three cats and my make-up bag. I love a bit of glamour. 

Best & worst attributes: I would like to think I am funny! My worst quality is lack of sleep. I like my sleep. 

Dream camper: Queen Camilla. She would be very practical. And Madonna – she could perform tracks from her Greatest Hits tour! 

TONY BELLEW

Claim to fame: Former champion boxer

Phobias: Like most normal people, I am scared of almost everything.

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: People will portray me as something I am not because of the profession I have had. I am just a normal person.

Role in camp: I’d like to think I am domesticated so hopefully I can help out.

Best & worst attributes: I do get hangry…who doesn’t! But I am easy going and I get on with everyone.

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