I’m A Celeb’s Gillian McKeith left ‘terrorised’ but was 'worth it' for six-figure pay
09.05.2023 - 19:41
/ ok.co.uk
A legend in the jungle – with viewers, at least – I’m A Celebrity South Africa’s Gillian McKeith, 63, is known for being one of the show’s most divisive, drama-prone celebs. During the current series, we’ve seen her rub her fellow stars up the wrong way with her sneaky stash of contraband – and who could forget her infamous ‘fainting’ episode back in 2010. Whatever your views on “Jungle Gill”, her quirky habits make for great telly.
Her awkward reunion with former nemesis Shaun Ryder, 60, was hilarious to watch, with the Happy Mondays singer telling his fellow campmates, “Last time I wanted to kill her.” Here, in our exclusive interview, which took place after she’d secretly filmed the ITV1 show, the nutritionist tells us her debilitating spider phobia is showing no signs of going away… Hi, Gillian. You didn’t seem to enjoy your first experience on I’m A Celeb. Why did you decide to do it? I didn’t know the show.
I thought it would be an experience and put me out of my comfort zone, but I didn’t understand until I got in. I was in complete shock. I hadn’t watched one episode.
I knew it was in the jungle, but I thought it would be a TV set, we’d go there, film and then we’d go to a hotel at night. It must have been a rude awakening then? The funny thing is, when I arrived in Australia the first night – that’s exactly what happened. I remember Sheryl Gascoigne, Stacey Solomon and I were somehow pitched against the boys and we won – not with my help, unfortunately.
So we went to a big fancy house that night, an incredible home on the Gold Coast. I thought, “This is going to be easy.” Boy was I in for a shock! Was the money really good, at least? Yes, of course. Why does anyone do it? How much were you paid? A lot – six
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