Former supermodel Janice Dickinson has launched a significant legal battle against ITV, alleging that sleep medication provided by the broadcaster's medics contributed to a severe fall during the filming of I'm A Celebrity... South Africa. The 70-year-old is seeking damages reportedly worth £700,000, claiming the incident left her with permanent facial damage.
The Incident and Allegations
According to legal documents filed at London's High Court, the accident occurred in October 2022 at the show's jungle camp. Dickinson, who had returned for the All Stars series, tripped in the dark while getting up in the early hours to use the toilet. She suffered significant head and facial injuries, which forced her to quit the pre-recorded series in 2023.
The new turn in her claim centres on the allegation that a medic employed by ITV had given her sleep medication. Legal papers state this medication can cause drowsiness and impaired balance, making her 'particularly vulnerable' when moving around at night. Dickinson's legal team argues that ITV is legally liable for her injuries due to this combination of medication and inadequate lighting.
Lasting Injuries and Career Impact
Medical assessments cited in the claim detail severe consequences from the fall. Doctors assert that Janice Dickinson suffered permanent facial scarring, deformity, and nerve damage that cannot be fully corrected by surgery. Sources close to the model emphasise the devastating blow to her decades-long modelling career, noting she has been the face of major brands like Chanel and Dior.
An insider told The Mirror: 'The trauma she suffered is a devastating blow.' Following the fall, Dickinson required a series of three rabies injections, expenses which she claims ITV initially refused to cover.
ITV's Response and Camp Aftermath
ITV has formally responded to the claim, stating they do 'not recognise this version of events.' A spokesperson highlighted that the welfare of contributors is their priority and outlined the support provided: they paid her medical expenses, flew her home to Los Angeles, and maintained contact for seven months after the incident.
The case has reportedly raised concerns among ITV bosses that it could prompt similar lawsuits, potentially leading to future contestants being asked to sign legal waivers. The fallout extended beyond the physical injury, with Dickinson said to be hurt by comments from former campmates. After she was stretchered out, Phil Tufnell joked about her signing a farewell letter 'with her broomstick,' a remark met with laughter from others, which Dickinson viewed as ageist and misogynistic.
Her representative, Dermot McNamara, stated: 'Janice is fully committed to this legal process and seeing it through to its conclusion.' The model awaits ITV's formal legal response as her high-stakes claim proceeds.
