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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Katie Fitzpatrick

Carol Vorderman in tears over quitting I'm a Celebrity water trial after fearing 'buoyant bottom' would ruin her chances

Carol Vorderman reckoned her ‘buoyant' bum could ruin her chances of success in an I’m A Celebrity trial, and she was later in tears after calling time on the watery task. The former Countdown presenter was sobbing as she stepped up to a tough challenge with former Olympic javelin thrower Fatima Whitbread.

Carol, 62, is one of the stars taking part in a South Africa spin-off version of I'm A Celebrity ...Get Me Out Of Here! in which they will compete to be crowned the first I'm A Celeb 'legend.' In Tuesday night's episode Carol was chosen to take part in the Tanks of Torment and picked Fatima to join her.

Arriving at the trial to meet hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, Fatima said about their pairing: "Here we have the brains and the brawn. It’s going to be a good combination.”

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Describing the trial, Ant told the pair: “This is Tanks of Torment. Carol, it’s your job to swim through the four sections of the tank, collecting stars as you go.” Dec added: “You will only be able to move through the sections once Fatima has raised the doors that separate them.”

As Fatima cranked the doors open, Carol was given 10 minutes to collect 10 stars amongst frogs, crocodiles, snakes and other critters. Admitting there could be a problem, Carol warned: “My bottom always floats to the top… it’s the most buoyant thing in Britain. So getting down underwater is my biggest problem.”

Carol in the water tank (ITV)

She powered through, but was disappointed to run into trouble when she spotted a snake in a breathing hole and revealed that she had a fear of drowning. As she emerged from the tank, she was close to tears, telling Ant and Dec "I might cry" as she explained her ultimate phobia.

She was in tears as she confided in Fatima on the way back to camp but they resolved to keep it to themselves. "I don't want to tell them in camp I've been sobbing," she said. Despite Carol's disappointment the dynamic duo still returned with seven stars to feed camp.

Viewers flocked to Twitter to sympathise including @teenamassam who applauded: "Having a phobia is horrible, Carol did amazing." And @eds_afterglow said: "I understand Carol, drowning is my biggest fear too, she done better than I would have done."

Carol explained her phobia (ITV)

@RyanTheSoapking praised: "This is a really difficult trial. #ImACeleb A huge congratulations to @FatimaWh1tbread & @carolvorders. The correct 2 people for the trial. Fatima was the most supportive teammate for Carol. Love this duo."

@deadstar37 told her: "Snake in the breathing hole? Don’t blame you Carol." @TraylorHolmes applauded: "I think Carol did brilliantly. I don’t think I could’ve done it." And @erinlouisehunt said: "This task is really horrible. I feel for Carol."

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