Every series of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! delivers its share of unforgettable television moments. Yet, one incident from over a decade ago continues to dominate the conversation for former contestant Gillian McKeith.
The Infamous Jungle Faint
The nutritionist and TV personality, best known for You Are What You Eat, entered the Australian jungle in 2010. She quickly became a recurring nominee for the show's gruelling Bushtucker trials, selected by the public vote time and again.
Her most memorable moment came during a live trial titled "Un-fair Ground." Visibly distressed at yet another nomination, McKeith approached hosts Ant and Dec to hear the rules. What happened next became one of the most talked-about events in the show's history.
A Swift Exit and Lingering Rumours
On camera, McKeith collapsed, forcing the production to cut to an abrupt advertisement break. Medics, including the show's doctor Bob, rushed to administer first aid. When broadcasting resumed, it was announced she had been withdrawn on medical grounds. Former Olympic champion Linford Christie stepped in to complete the challenge in her place.
In the aftermath, a persistent rumour took hold among fans and on social media: that the faint was a calculated act to escape the trial. For years, McKeith has had to contend with this speculation.
Setting the Record Straight
Now, McKeith has directly addressed the incident, firmly denying any pretence. She explained to The Independent that she has a lifelong history of fainting, dating back to childhood.
"The day before we did the live trial, I hadn’t had much to eat and I wasn’t feeling very well – which is the precursor to passing out," she stated. She even revealed she once fainted at her own wedding altar just before saying her vows.
She highlighted a specific jungle hazard that prevented her from controlling the fall: "Sometimes you can stop yourself if you get close to the ground but the problem with the jungle is there were all these leeches and so there was no way I was going to throw myself on the ground."
The moment has proven inescapable for McKeith. "I have never been able to forget about my fainting in the jungle!" she admitted. "I have been reminded about I’m a Celebrity every single day since I came out by taxi drivers and people in the street!"
While the public may remember it as pure entertainment, McKeith's account offers a starkly different perspective, finally putting the long-debated jungle drama to rest.
