Viewers were stunned as Coronation Street favourite Helen Flanagan was forced to say her goodbyes on I'm A Celebrity South Africa along with ex EastEnders actor Dean Gaffney. Former Corrie actress Helen was eliminated just minutes into Wednesday night's episode (May 10) after a race between campmates to stay in camp.
The celebrities were locked in a crate, with their heads poking out of them, in the I'm A Celebrity ...Get Me Out Of Here! spin-off set in South Africa instead of Australia to crown a 'legend' from over the past 20 years of the reality show. They had to untangle a key and undo a padlock that keeping them trapped inside before ringing a bell as critters were added to the mix.
Campmates were told that the last two celebs left in their crates would be leaving I'm a Celebrity for good. After the shock departure of Coronation Street's Andy Whyment and Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo on Monday, followed by Joe Swash in last night's episode, fans reacted in disbelief as more popular campmates were sent home. Helen, 32, said: "I loved every second. I've just got the best memories."
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During her first rocky jungle stint in Australia back in 2012, Helen was voted by the British public to take part in seven bushtucker trials in a row. But this series fans have seen a 'redemption arc' for Helen with hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly also remarking on the change.
Unlike the regular series screened in the run-up to Christmas, there is no public vote. Instead the celebrities have been competing against one another in a series of trials to avoid elimination. Fans reckon that if there had been a vote, Helen might have gone on to win the series, which was pre-recorded and filmed last September.
Left competing for a place in the final on Friday are presenter and Diversity dancer Jordan Banjo, Carol Vorderman, former royal butler Paul Burrell, Olympic javelin thrower Fatima Whitbread, musician and broadcaster Myleene Klass and cricketing star Phil Tufnell.
Viewer @harrietshaw94 gasped on Twitter: "Nooo not Helen now too actually really liked her in this series, she had definitely grown on me." And @graceyspen said: "Gutted that Joe, Toff, Andy, Helen and Dean have all gone home and we are stuck with Carol, Fatima and Paul Burrell."
@mishybabez_ echoed: "Gutted Helen is out." @HollyTaylor201 wrote: "Joe, Dean, Helen, Toff and Andy all gone, none of the ones left deserve to win." And @Legen_dary93 declared: "Justice for Helen."
@joanne_l_t complained: "Show won’t be the same without Helen and Dean." And@fansvfavourites said: "i’m literally on the floor in floods of tears at how robbed Helen was."
@DarknovaAriana fumed: "Don't vibe with this new format, Helen was one of the best campmates in South Africa. gutted to see her go." And @Daisy_TW_JLS praised: "Helen did so amazing this time around, she deffo did prove herself like she wanted to."
@KB3471 wrote: "If there was a public vote then Helen would have won. What a difference since the last time she was on." And @RowanACrump said: "Helen should be really proud of herself. She did incredibly well."
@awinlely tweeted: "Helen’s redemption arc was one of the only things worth I’m a celeb legend!" And @xViCkIx_said: "Helen was phenomenal. I think she deserved it. Shame it’s not live. Results would of been so different."
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