Former I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! contestant Nicola McClean has dubbed Richard Madeley’s exit a “huge loss”ITV was urged to allow him to return to the castle.
During an exclusive Facebook Live chat with Silver Screen Beat, the 40-year-old model lashed out at the decision. He urged show bosses that Richard be tested for Covid and allowed him to return to the castle.
She said: “Unfortunately, he had to go – it was such a shame, surely they should just test him for Covid and then let him come back….
“Richard will be a huge loss. I really thought he would be one of the top people.
(Image: Silver Screen Beats Live on Facebook)
Nicola also slammed another Covid restriction, as the series was again forced to film the series in North Wales rather than its usual location in the jungle of Australia.
“It’s Covid ruining another bl**dy thing, isn’t it? Covid has made it be the castle, not the jungle and now it’s taken Richard from us as well.”
(Image: GC Images).
Richard, the This Morning presenter, insists that he is doing what he said he was doing “fine”A statement was released by the company, which said: “Hello all! Richard here — firstly just to say that I’m absolutely FINE.
“I felt briefly unwell during the early hours of the morning, and I was taken to the hospital as a precaution.
“By leaving the camp, I had consequently broken the Covid ‘bubble’ and as such I’ve had to leave the castle and all the wonderful celebs that remain in the camp.”
(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Richard’s departure early makes him the first celebrity to leave camp. ITV confirmed that there will not be any stand-ins to replace Richard. Ant and Dec confirmed that Simon Gregson and Adam Woodyatt are the only newcomers to the camp on Wednesday’s episode.
He said: “Obviously I’m gutted to be leaving so soon but the safety of all the campmates is the number one priority. I’m incredibly excited to watch their journey continue… even more so at the prospect of being somewhere a little warmer than Gwrych Castle…”
The producers of I’m A Celebrity released a statement saying: “Our strict Covid protocols means Richard has sadly had to leave the show as he is no longer in the bubble the celebrities form when entering the castle. He has been a truly brilliant camp mate and we thank him for being part of this series.”
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