After becoming infamous for fainting in the jungle in 2010, Gillian McKeith has returned to the I’m A Celebrity… camp - to a mixed reaction from viewers. The Scottish TV nutritionist made a surprise return last night (Monday, April 24) as the first ‘latecomer’ to be introduced to the new series for the all-star spin-off show I’m A Celebrity… South Africa.
Her introduction was much to the consternation of campmates, viewers - and even herself. Gillian, 63, has admitted she found returning to the show "terrifying".
She told the Mirror: “It’s going to be more terrifying this time because back then, I didn’t know what to expect but this time I can’t use that as an excuse.
"What I felt before feels 1,000 times worse now and all of it freaks me out but I feel I’ve got a calling to represent all the scaredy cats in Britain – and that is the reason why I’ve said yes.”
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Last time around, she produced multiple viral moments with her gaffes and fiery confrontations. During her first appearance, she fainted after being nominated for her seventh consecutive bushtucker trial, requiring an on-site medic to step in.
Many accused Gillian of pulling a fast one to get out of the trial, but she maintained she did faint at the prospect of facing another grisly challenge. She later explained she had a history of fainting and had not had much to eat the morning before the trial.
Happy Mondays singer Shaun Ryder appeared particularly dismayed at her return to the show, having clashed with her during the 2010 series. Speaking in a preview episode on Monday, Shaun was heard to say “I almost killed her” and agreeing she was “mad as a box of frogs”.
Back in 2010, the musician called Gillian “a daft old bat” and said she would “try the patience of a saint”. And it seems many viewers agree - with others experiencing more than a dash of schadenfreude.
On Twitter, @tomgreat1990 said: "Really!? The worst contestant in history is in the All-Stars series? Riiiiiiiight."
However, @xxEmilyhodnettx said: "GILLIAN MCKEITH - it’s just gotten better!"
But @StuHudson was much less pleased. They ranted: "Gillian McKeith should not be given the oxygen of publicity. If Matt Hancock was a “controversial” choice then the decision to promote this vapid fraud is utterly contemptible #ImACeleb."
And @melniall said: "I never had any intention of watching the current #ImACeleb but after the announcement of Gillian McKeith joining the lineup, I won’t even be tempted."
@blubble_12 said: "Of all the people they could have brought back and they brought back Gillian b****y Mckeith."
While not fan of Gillian, @randomronil thought the 'latecomer' could have been much worse. They opined: "Gillian McKeith, thank god it wasn't Hancock. She is a horrible person but if that man had appeared my screams would've been heard in another continent."
But a joyous @PerryOBree tweeted: "Oh my god she was a surprise YES this is going to be brilliant GILLIAN MCKEITH hahahaha."
And @sophie_duck_ said: "Omg yes Gillian is back, she is a legend."
- What do you think about Gillian's return? let us know in our comments section.
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