Scarlette Douglas Bravely Discusses Eating Disorder Triggered by I'm A Celebrity
Scarlette Douglas, the former property expert on Channel 4's A Place In The Sun, has courageously shared details of her ongoing battle with an eating disorder, revealing how her participation in I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here in 2022 resurfaced deep-seated body image issues. The 38-year-old television presenter, known for her roles in shows like Hairspray and I Can't Sing!, opened up in a candid interview with The Mirror, explaining the profound impact of the reality series on her mental health.
Jungle Experience Revives Past Struggles
During the twenty-second series of I'm A Celebrity, Scarlette joined celebrities such as Jill Scott, Owen Warner, and Matt Hancock in the Australian jungle. Contestants typically lose weight due to the limited food rations between trials, a factor that Scarlette admitted exacerbated her long-standing body dysmorphia. She confessed, 'It's something that's been drilled into me from all those years ago, I feel like I'm overweight.' Reflecting on her time on the show, she added, 'Even when I did [I'm A Celeb] I was like: 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.'
Roots of Body Dysmorphia in Teenage Years
Scarlette traced the origins of her eating disorder back to her teenage years at performing arts college, where she and her classmates were subjected to monthly weigh-ins. Any weight gain resulted in mandatory dieting, a practice she described as 'horrendous'. She elaborated, 'You look back and you think, oh my gosh, how impressionable we are as young people to have those above us that we put in high regard telling us that we're too fat or telling us X, Y, Z.' This environment led to the development of her eating disorder, which she continues to struggle with today, stating, 'So I ended up getting an eating disorder and even to this day I still struggle with my weight.'
Television Career and Future Plans
Scarlette was the second celebrity eliminated from I'm A Celebrity in 2022, shortly after ITV's Charlene Douglas. Her television career spans numerous shows, including appearances on Points of View, The One Show, and as a guest presenter on Jeremy Vine. She currently hosts programs like Love It or List It, George Clarke's Flipping Fast, and Worst House on the Street. Looking ahead, Scarlette has announced plans to relocate to Dubai with her boyfriend, Kyle Murray, whom she recently revealed in a Valentine's Day post. While not yet engaged, she has shared her ring preferences and aspirations for marriage in Jamaica, where both their families originate.
New Beginnings in Dubai
Scarlette expressed excitement about moving to Dubai later this year, citing safety as a key factor for starting a family. She aims to open a stage school and a gym there, leveraging her partner's fitness background. She explained, 'Dubai will be great because it's so safe for children.' In 2024, she took steps toward future motherhood by freezing her eggs, aligning with her dreams of having a family. Scarlette reflected on her relationship, saying, 'I think I manifested him because I literally wrote down a list of exactly who I wanted in my life. He literally just walked into my life and he's everything that I asked for, it's crazy.'
If you have been affected by anything in this article, please call Eating Disorders Support on: 01494 793223.
