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I'm a Celebrity: 18 stars who dramatically quit the show

Take a trip down memory lane...

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Eve Crosbie
TV & Film Writer
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I'm a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! has been a staple on screens for almost two decades, and we can't imagine our winter nights without it!

MORE: When is the I'm a Celebrity final and who is the favourite to win?

Over the years, the show has seen plenty of gruelling trials, fun-filled challenges and lots of clashes around the campfire. It's hardly surprising then, that the ITV show has also had countless celebrities dramatically walk out for a number of reasons.  Some have suffered various injuries, while others have had to pull out for other reasons. Take a look at the stars who have walked out of the jungle - and now the castle - over the years here...

WATCH: Chloe and Judy Finnigan laugh at Richard Madeley on I'm A Celebrity

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Richard Madeley

Richard Madeley was forced to leave the 2021 series after breaking the show's COVID regulations. The Good Morning Britain star left Gwrych Castle in Wales to go to the hospital after he began to feel unwell and was not allowed to return to the competition.

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Gemma Collins

The Only Way Is Essex legend Gemma Collins lasted just three days in the jungle back in 2014 before she told producers that she just couldn't hack it. However, her short time on the ITV programme was certainly eventful, from her complaints about jungle food to her self-diagnosis of malaria and clashes with other contestants.

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John Lydon

We could never forget John Lydon's foul-mouthed tirade, which led to his exit. The Sex Pistols singer made headlines when he raged about the lack of food in camp, started a fire and even attacked audiences for not voting him out. He eventually walked out of camp.

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Lady Colin Campbell

Lady Colin Campbell remains one of the most controversial I'm a Celeb contestants to date! She ended up quitting the show not long into the 2015 series on medical grounds. Despite this, during her time on the show, she managed to cause quite a stir - and clash with almost every other contestant, particularly Duncan Bannatyne and Tony Hadley.

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Spencer Matthews

Reality TV star Spencer Matthews walked out of the jungle just days into the 2015 series after reportedly demanding steroids from producers, although it was initially reported that he had left due to medical grounds. Days after his return to the UK, he revealed the truth in a searingly honest Twitter post, calling his actions an "an error of judgement".

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Danniella Westbrook

EastEnders star Danniella Westbrook bid farewell to the dream of being crowned the Queen of the Jungle in 2003 after she revealed that she missed her kids too much to continue.

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Brian Harvey

Former East 17 singer Brian Harvey walked out of the 2004 series after a spat with Janet Street-Porter over dinner. However, it was later revealed that he was also struggling to come to terms with the loss of his grandmother, who passed away just days before entering the jungle.

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Natalie Appleton

Natalie Appleton, who also appeared in the 2004 series, also quit the show after she was repeatedly voted to do Bushtucker trials. It all got too much for the All Saints star so she eventually decided to leave.

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Nigel Havers

Nigel Havers shocked viewers when he decided to quit halfway through a Bushtucker Trial. When faced with a trial that saw the contestants given electric shocks if they got questions wrong, he announced: "I'm not up for it, I don't do electric shocks so I'm leaving."

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Kimberley Davies

Former Neighbours star Kimberley Davies became the first celebrity forced to quit the show after she sustained an injury in a trial.

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Craig Charles

Red Dwarf and Coronation Street star Craig Charles was a favourite to win the 2014 series but sadly decided to leave the show after producers informed him that his brother had passed away back home.

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Elaine Lordan

Eastenders actress Elaine Lordan collapsed twice during her first day in the jungle back in 2005 before being taken to hospital. A return was ruled out by producers who were unsure she was strong enough to continue.

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Freddie Starr

Late comedian Freddie Starr had to withdraw from the 2011 series due to ill health and was later taken to hospital. At the time, reports surfaced that producers behind the programme feared he might die live on television after he collapsed during a particularly gruelling bushtucker trial.

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Jack Maynard

YouTube star Jack Maynard ended up quitting the show back in 2017 after a number of old tweets from 2012 resurfaced in which he used racist, homophobic and otherwise offensive language. At the time, his representative said that the star was "ashamed" of those tweets and left the jungle as it was "only fair" he have the opportunity to defend himself.

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George Hamilton

At 70 years old, George Hamilton was the oldest contestant to compete in the 2009 series. Despite starting off strong, he ended up leaving as he felt he was unable to help out around camp or participate in trials.

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Camilla Dallerup

Ballroom dancer Camilla Dallerup was just not cut out for jungle life. She became the first contestant to leave the 2009 series after struggling to cope with the jungle conditions. After several tearful outbursts, it all became too much for her and she announced her departure.

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Brian Conley

Comedian Brian Conley had to withdraw from the 2012 series due to mental health reasons after he stopped taking his antidepressants for the first time in 15 years, resulting in what he later called a "living hell".

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