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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Katie Wilson

Gemma Collins sheds new light on real reason she left I'm A Celebrity so early

Gemma Collins has revealed the real reason she quit I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! back in 2014.

The former The Only Way Is Essex star walked out of camp just three days after arriving in the jungle.

At the time the 41-year-old said “jungle life is not for me” and quipped that “people who murder get treated better than this”.

She also spoke on the ITV show about being “starving” hungry as meals are rationed.

But taking to Instagram today – following the shock news that Love Island star Olivia Attwood has quit the show after just 24 hours – Gemma gave fans more insight into what really happened.

Gemma went on I'm A Celebrity back in 2014 (ITV)

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Sharing a clip of her best bits from her time on the show with her 2.2 million followers, she wrote: “Wishing everyone the best of luck in the jungle this season.

“Loved @boygeorgeofficial and all the camp mates seem fabulous.

“My time was short in the jungle and not many people know that I was robbed and physically attacked 24 hours before leaving for Australia.”

The reality TV star continued: “I didn’t want to let anyone down, so I still went in.

“However, I was in a terrible state and shock as you can imagine and couldn’t see it through.

“I took lots of stick over it, but if you was robbed and attacked and then sent into the jungle, I’m sure you would have struggled too.”

Gemma ended the post with: “I would never let anyone destroy my dreams again.”

She famously complained 'murderers get treated better than this' (ITV)

Fans were quick to comment underneath – with many calling for the GC to be brought back in the jungle.

One wrote: “Ohhh Gemma I feel we need to try and get you back in there.”

“We need the GC back baby,” said another. While a third chimed in: “Olivia has left, you could take her place.”

Speaking about the impact she had on the show in just three days, a fourth commented: “You were in there for a few days and still people talk about you and use your time in there for memes. Impact made!

A fifth added: “So sorry you was attacked! That’s horrid. They shouldn’t have made you go on so soon! Should have been a late contestant! Although you did make that show. Queen of the jungle always x.”

She has since shared she was mugged 24 hours before heading to Australia (Instagram)

An ITV insider declined to comment further on Gemma’s story today.

But at the time senior sources from the show told The Mirror it was “entirely Gemma’s choice” to quit.

They added: “It was her decision which we respect. She had been saying she wanted to leave for the last couple of days, but today she said she really wanted to go.

“She just didn’t enjoy it and wasn’t happy with camp life. We have to respect that.

“It is fair enough, it’s not for everyone. But it is a shame as she was a great character.”

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