I'm a Celebrity legend Gillian McKeith has revealed that returning to the show that 'terrorised' her was 'worth it' for the six-figure payday. The TV personality, who first appeared on the ITV reality show in 2010, clashed with campmates and famously fainted during a live trial.
Speaking to OK! Magazine, McKeith confirmed she received a six-figure sum for her second stint on the show's current South Africa series. 'Yes. Of course. Why does anyone do it?' she said when asked about the money.
Despite the financial incentive, McKeith admitted her phobias have worsened since her first jungle experience. 'I'm worse than ever. I left terrorised and it hasn't gone away. I have lots of insect phobias, but spiders are the worst,' she said.
McKeith also revealed she initially misunderstood the show's format in 2010, believing it was a TV set where contestants would return to a hotel at night. '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,' she explained.
Discussing her decision to braid her hair for the second series, McKeith cited a painful tick bite from her first appearance. 'The tick bite was very painful. It stuck its pincer into my neck under the hair. It was like being sliced with a razor-sharp knife,' she told Mail Online.
McKeith and Shaun Ryder were the first two celebrities eliminated from I'm A Celebrity... South Africa, just five days into the series. The show airs on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.
