Fears that I’m A Celebrity bosses have made this year’s series too tough are mounting after Richard Madeley’s shock departure yesterday.
This year’s season has been thrown into chaos behind the scenes after three of this year’s contestants – Dame Arlene Phillips, Naughty Boy and Frankie Bridge – sought urgent medical treatment.
The Strictly judge, 78, is reportedly being medicated for chronic pain while the music producer, 36, is said to be struggling mentally. And the Saturdays singer, 32, has developed a rash that doctors are battling to diagnose, The Sun reported.
Madeley – arguably this year’s biggest signing – was forced to quit ITV’s I’m A Celeb after being admitted to Glan Clwyd Hospital. He was unable to reenter the castle after breaking the Covid-safe bubble to be treated.
A spokesman for I’m A Celebrity refused to be drawn on concerns that this year’s series is too tough on the contestants, who are forced to sleep rough and endure gruelling Bushtucker trials.
Madeley, 65, became ill after crawling through fish guts. He had also complained about the castle’s ‘freezing’ temperatures.
Worries: I'm A Celebrity bosses are reportedly fearing they may lose more of the show's stars following Richard Madeley's departure on Thursday (pictured Arlene Phillips and Naughty Boy)
The Sun reports Arlene is on painkillers for 'chronic pain', while Naughty Boy is having a 'tough time' mentally due to being away from his dementia-stricken mum.
Frankie is said to have developed a rash and has had to seek medical attention.
A source said: 'There are growing concerns for Arlene who is really struggling and in chronic pain, she is being helped around by the likes of David Ginola and Naughty Boy and is looking really frail.
'It's hard enough roughing it in the ruins of an old castle let alone at 78 years old. She is a trooper and wants to show everyone how tough she is.'
In chaos? The series is said to have been thrown into chaos behind-the-scenes after three of the celebrities have had to have urgent medical treatment (pictured Frankie Bridge)
He's out: It comes after Richard, 65, arguably the show's biggest signing, was forced to leave I'm A Celeb on Thursday after being admitted to hospital
The insider said Naughty Boy, real name Shahid Khan, is having counselling over his mother's health.
They said: 'He's been speaking to the show's psych team, led by Sandra Scott, on a specially set-up iPad to make sure he is staying upbeat...
'This is the longest he has been away from his mother since her diagnosis so they are keen to make sure he's not spiralling quietly.'
Also adding to producers worries is Frankie, who has reportedly been given an ointment to treat a rash- with doctors unsure about what has caused it.
The source said ITV simply 'can't afford to loose any names- especially after Richard left the camp just four days after the show started.
MailOnline has contacted ITV for comment.
Arlene and Naughty Boy have both previously expressed their desire to leave Gwyrch Castle after struggling in breakout camp, The Clink.
The music producer had been particularly vocal about his desire to leave following the Treacherous Traps trial, with the star remarking: 'My time here is done!'
He told his fellow campmates: 'I do think my time here is done. I had a feeling earlier and I was thinking about mum and obviously I love you guys.
Medical treatment: Naughty Boy, real name Shahid Khan, is reportedly having counselling over his mother's health, while Frankie is said to have developed a rash
Family man: Before entering the jungle, he detailed his mother's health battles, as he said: 'I think it is important for people like myself to create awareness about it'
'I don't think after knowing what the Main Camp probably knew what they were putting me through knowing I did the challenge earlier – I don't know if I could ever join that camp.'
Naughty Boy's fellow campers were quick to reassure him but he continued his threats quit altogether and was joined by Arlene – even after the news that they were to join the Main Camp.
Meanwhile, Arlene said: 'I feel exactly the same. For me, I was hoping I was going to come out here strong and proud, but it hasn't started in the right way.
Back on track: It comes after Arlene and Naughty Boy threatened to leave the competition earlier thsis week, with the music producer remarking: 'My time here is done!'
'I find it unacceptable. I know that I can't go on and my mind isn't going to change in the morning, one night isn't going to change.'
However the pair changed their minds after entering Main Camp, in scenes which were aired on Wednesday's show.
The crisis comes after Richard was forced to leave the show after being rushed to hospital with an unknown medical condition.
Eeek: Naughty Boy was ready to leave after losing a gruelling trial to Snoochie Shy
Having second thoughts: Arlene said: 'I feel exactly the same. For me, I was hoping I was going to come out here strong and proud, but it hasn't started in the right way'
In a major blow to the show as one of their top signings, the broadcaster, who was paid an estimated £200,000 to star in this year's competition, was taken ill hours after participating in a gruelling trial and complaining about the castle's freezing temperatures.
In a statement Richard, who was believed to be treated at Glan Clwyd Hospital in Rhyl, confirmed he had to quit the series after breaking the show's 'Covid bubble'.
Richard's daughter Chloe, 34, revealed her father is 'livid' he can't go back into the I'm A Celebrity camp after his shock hospital dash.
'Gutted': In a statement Richard, who was believed to be at Glan Clwyd Hospital in Rhyl, reassured fans he's 'fine' after his health scare
He said in a statement: 'Hello all! Richard here – firstly just to say that I'm absolutely FINE. I started to feel briefly unwell in the small hours of the morning and was taken to hospital as a precaution.
'By leaving the camp, I had consequently broken the Covid 'bubble' and as such I've had to leave the castle and all the wonderful celebs that remain in the camp.
'Obviously I'm gutted to be leaving so soon but the safety of all the campmates is the number one priority. I'm incredibly excited to watch their journey continue…even more so at the prospect of being somewhere a little warmer than Gwrych Castle…
Health scare: Richard, who was paid an estimated £200,000 to star in this year's competition, was taken ill hours after participating in a gruelling trial
Worry: Richard was believed to be at Glan Clwyd Hospital after falling ill overnight
'Thank you to everyone who supported me on my brief but completely unforgettable adventure – I've made some great friends and honestly had the time of my life.
An I'm A Celebrity spokesperson added: 'Our strict Covid protocols means Richard has sadly had to leave the show as he is no longer in the bubble the celebrities form when entering the castle.
'He has
