TV Star Scarlette Douglas Details How I'm A Celebrity Worsened Her Eating Disorder
Scarlette Douglas, the former A Place In The Sun presenter, has spoken exclusively about her ongoing battle with body image and how her participation in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2022 triggered significant insecurities related to an eating disorder. The 38-year-old television host revealed that these struggles have persisted since her teenage years.
Historic Body Image Issues and the Jungle Experience
Douglas explained that her body dysmorphia was severely exacerbated by the prospect of appearing on the popular ITV reality show. She admitted, "I can't believe I'm going on that show. OK, no make-up. Fine, I'll get over that but being as big as I am, I cannot wait to get on there, eat rice and beans and lose a stone." At the time, she weighed approximately 10 stone 10 pounds and viewed the limited jungle diet as an opportunity for weight loss.
The presenter's body image issues originated at age 16 while attending a performing arts college, where students were weighed monthly and critiqued on their weight. "We would get told if we'd put weight on, we were going to a nutritionist who would be putting us on a diet, we would be eating seeds, literally," she recalled. This environment contributed to the development of her eating disorder, which she continues to manage today.
Career Background and Co-Stars on I'm A Celebrity
Before her television career, Scarlette Douglas performed in West End productions such as Hairspray and Little Shop of Horrors, and worked as a backing singer for Thriller Live. She joined the cast of I'm A Celebrity in 2022, appearing alongside notable figures including former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, ex-England footballer Jill Scott, comedian Seann Walsh, and radio DJ Chris Moyles. Douglas was the second contestant eliminated, following Loose Women presenter Charlene White.
Since leaving A Place In The Sun in 2022, she has hosted property development show Worst House on the Street with her brother Stuart Douglas, a former professional footballer. Currently, she is promoting Keys Or Coffee, the UK's first interactive property prize draw, in collaboration with her brother.
Broader Impact and Similar Experiences Among Celebrities
Scarlette Douglas is not alone in linking the show to eating disorder triggers. James Brittain-McVey, guitarist for the band The Vamps, revealed in 2022 that his 2018 jungle stint worsened his battle with anorexia. He noted losing 5-6 kilograms and described how his wife was "shocked, almost scared by how ill I looked," yet he perceived the weight loss positively at the time, highlighting ongoing mental health challenges.
Personal Life and Support System
In her personal life, Douglas has found support from her boyfriend Kyle, whom she began dating in May after meeting at a gym. Kyle, who works in fitness and nutrition, has become a voice of reason regarding her body image struggles. She shared, "He's very much like: 'You have to remember your body now at 38 was not your body at 21... You're a woman and a black woman, you're supposed to have curves, you're not supposed to be stick thin.'" After keeping his identity private for months, she publicly acknowledged him in a Valentine's Day post.
Douglas reflected on her current self-perception, stating, "I'm a size 10, great. But I'd like to be a good real solid size 8 as opposed to a 10 maybe a 12. I'm about 10st 10Ibs now. If I could I would like to be like 9st." She emphasized the lasting impact of early experiences, saying, "It's something that's been drilled into me from all those years ago, I feel like I'm overweight."
Resources for Support: For those concerned about eating disorders, Beat, the UK's eating disorder charity, offers support via 0808 801 0677 or beateatingdisorders.org.uk. ITV has been approached for comment regarding the show's impact on contestants' mental health.
