Paul Burrell, the former butler to Princess Diana, has emotionally revealed that his participation in ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! directly led to a life-saving prostate cancer diagnosis.
A Life-Saving Medical Examination
The 67-year-old explained that before entering the jungle for the All Stars season in 2023, the show's mandatory medical check uncovered a critical health issue. Doctors discovered he had a raised PSA (prostate-specific antigen) level, a key indicator that can signal the presence of prostate cancer.
Appearing on Loose Women with Christine Lampard, Paul stated from his home in Cheshire, "I have a lot to thank I'm A Celebrity for and ITV because that show saved my life, literally." He added, "When I went to the medical before I went to the All Stars, I found that I had prostate cancer."
Treatment and The All-Clear
Following his elimination from the reality show, the father-of-two underwent further investigations. An MRI scan and a biopsy confirmed the illness. Fortunately, because the cancer was caught at such an early stage through the show's screening, Paul was able to receive prompt treatment.
By November 2023, Burrell received the welcome news that he had been given the 'all clear' by medics after completing his radiotherapy treatment. He emphasised that the early diagnosis was pivotal to his recovery, saying, "When I came back, I got it sorted and I'm fine because that was an early diagnosis."
Jungle Memories and Future Advice
Paul's connection to the iconic programme spans two decades, having first appeared in 2004, followed by the Australian version in 2018, and the All Stars series. He fondly recalled his infamous clashes with journalist Janet Street-Porter during his initial stint, noting she would often tease him about his royal service.
Now looking forward to watching the new series as a fan, he predicted that Ruby Wax would be "explosive and funny" and that sports presenter Alex Scott would "do well", drawing parallels to former footballer Jill Scott's 2022 victory.
His biggest piece of advice for future contestants is simple: "Be themselves." He affirmed, "It's a magical time and you'll never forget it. You're getting paid for doing it too, so have a good time."
