Comedian Ruby Wax has definitively quashed rumours of a blossoming romance between fellow I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! campmates Aitch and Shona McGarty, revealing their mutual disinterest was 'crystal clear'.
Jungle Matchmaking Falls Flat
The 72-year-old broadcaster, who became the fifth contestant to be voted off the ITV show on Wednesday night, disclosed she had directly questioned the pair about a potential relationship. Ruby admitted she was 'devastated' by her early exit, especially after bookmakers tipped her to reach the final.
Speaking to the Daily Mail after her 19-day stint, Ruby explained her motive for the inquiry was simple: 'because I wanted them to get married.' However, she confirmed the idea was a firm 'no-go' from both parties.
'Oh, he's not her type at all,' Ruby revealed. 'She likes a hunky man, bigger men, so that she feels female, that's what she told me. He was not on the list at all, and, their age difference.' The rapper Aitch is 25, while former EastEnders star Shona is 34.
Fans' Hopes Dashed by Reality
This confirmation will disappoint the legion of fans on social media who were championing the pair, especially as both entered the jungle recently single. Aitch, whose real name is Harrison Armstrong, split from his girlfriend of over a year, Lois Cottam, just weeks prior. Shona's engagement to Irish musician David Bracken, 38, also ended shortly before the show.
The speculation ignited when Aitch told his campmate he had a 'soft spot' for Shona. Their bond seemed to strengthen during their time in the separate Doomsville camp, where they engaged in a playful pillow fight and shared intimate conversations.
Despite observations from other celebrities like Vogue Williams and Tom Read Wilson about a potential spark, Ruby saw it differently: 'No, I just thought, how convenient, they both sing. But she said that's not her type, she wasn't interested. And he wasn't interested either. I think he just liked her.'
Production Disappointment and Ruby's Exit
It's understood that I'm A Celeb producers were 'over-the-moon' at the prospect of a jungle romance, with host Ant McPartlin even voicing his support for camp love. However, it seems the relationship was purely platonic, a 'brother sister' dynamic as predicted by their families.
After leaving the jungle, Ruby was greeted by her husband of 37 years, TV producer Ed Bye, who flew to Queensland to support her. Reflecting on her departure, she didn't hide her feelings: 'I feel the public have let me down... I'm very upset, I just want to be back in there, they're my family.'
I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! continues Thursday at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
