An emotional Beverley Callard has expressed her devastation after being forced to withdraw from attending the live final of I'm a Celebrity: South Africa on medical grounds. The 69-year-old Coronation Street star had been scheduled to fly out for the concluding episode but was advised against it by her doctors.
Callard's Heartfelt Message
In a tearful video shared to Instagram, Callard said: 'It would have been brilliant. But I can't go… flights were booked and everything.' She explained that the long travel day followed by a late night was too demanding. 'But here I am. I will be watching and I will be on a Zoom chatting to everybody. I've got to make the best of a bad job, but I am resting, I am doing as I'm told, and thanks to everybody.'
Background of Her Health Struggles
This setback comes after Callard was forced to leave the ITV reality show in South Africa earlier this year when she collapsed in the jungle camp. She later revealed in February that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. During Tuesday's episode, filmed in September before her diagnosis, Callard broke down recalling her departure. 'Of course, I didn't know then that I had cancer, but I just knew that it was the last couple of days there that I hadn't felt very well,' she said. After receiving medical attention, she was told she needed to leave the camp.
Callard added: 'I said, "Don't send me home, I'm sure I'll be fine." I've jumped out of a plane, I've hung off a cliff, and I did want to succeed and make it through to the end. But that was the start of everything, really. So it's made me really emotional. But I will beat this. I will beat it.' In the caption, she wrote: 'I wanted to prove that age is just a number and I feel so proud of what I achieved. Just got to get through this real life trial now.'
Support from Fellow Contestants
Callard was consoled in the camp by fellow contestants, including ex-Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt, who said: 'Selfishly, I would want Bev to stay, because she's like everyone's camp mam, but her health is more important.'
The Finale Lineup
Friday night's final will see Olympian Sir Mo Farah, former football manager Harry Redknapp, actor and DJ Craig Charles, and actor Adam Thomas compete for the title of 'ultimate legend 2026'. All other stars are expected to attend, including Jimmy Bullard and Adam Thomas, who were involved in an explosive row. Former footballer Bullard was partnered with Thomas for a pivotal trial where the losing duo would be sent home. Despite Thomas's efforts, Bullard abstained, telling hosts Ant and Dec: 'I just don't have it in me.' Thomas angrily confronted Bullard, shouting: 'You're taking the p***!' Almost eight months after filming, they are reportedly not on speaking terms, and Bullard said he'd be at the final to share his version of events.
The final of I'm A Celebrity… South Africa is scheduled to air from 7:30pm on Friday across ITV1, STV, ITVX, and STV Player.
