Former television star Iain Lee has made a startling revelation, claiming that the immense pressure of appearing on ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! contributed to a devastating relapse into drug addiction after 13 years of sobriety.
The Camp Stress That Sparked a Setback
The comedian and presenter, now 52, entered the Australian jungle for the popular reality series in 2017, where he ultimately finished in third place. At the time, Lee was a well-known figure on British screens, celebrated for his sharp wit. However, he has now disclosed that the experience had severe personal consequences.
In a recent interview, Lee explained that while he entered the camp 13 years clean, the aftermath proved too much. "I went in 13 years clean, but not long after coming out, the stress of the show got to me," he told the Daily Star. He pointed to a combination of the show's inherent pressures and difficult relationships with fellow contestants, whom he described as "a bunch of a*******s."
Taking Accountability Amidst Turbulence
Despite citing the environment, Lee was emphatic in accepting full responsibility for his actions. He confessed that prior to entering the jungle, he had already stopped attending Narcotics Anonymous after 11 years and had "set the wheels in motion" for a potential relapse. He named former boxer Amir Khan, Rebekah Vardy, and footballer Dennis Wise as particularly challenging campmates, but reiterated, "It's my fault. I picked up again, it was totally on me."
This was sadly not Lee's only struggle with maintaining sobriety. In 2020, he publicly marked 30 days clean after another relapse despite having been drug-free for two and a half years. Discussing that incident on his show, The Late Night Alternative, he described the experience as making him feel "awful."
Rebuilding and Reflection on a Career
Looking back, Lee has also linked his past drug use to the derailment of his television career. Speaking to The Guardian in September, he stated, "If anyone was f***ing up my career, it was me." He admitted that cocaine use gave him a "false bravado" that masked deep-seated terror, leading him to become unreliable and difficult to work with.
Yet, there is a significant note of hope in his story. Iain Lee proudly announced that he is approaching a major milestone, stating he will be five years sober by the end of this month. His journey underscores the long-term and often fragile nature of addiction recovery. ITV has been contacted for comment regarding Lee's claims about the show's impact.
