Ant and Dec have addressed Olivia Attwood's surprise exit from I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! 2022. The presenters opened the second episode, which aired on ITV on Monday, November 7, by wishing the Love Island star well after it was revealed she'd left the jungle on medical grounds after just 24 hours.
Speaking live from the base in Australia, the award-winning presenting duo said they were "very sad" to see Olivia go. Dec told viewers at home: "Now, as you might have heard, unfortunately, Olivia Attwood has left the jungle for medical reasons and sadly won't be returning."
Ant added: "She does feature in tonight's show which was filmed before she had to leave. We're very sad to see her go and wish her well."
Read more: I'm A Celebrity's Olivia Attwood breaks silence on 'truth' after abrupt exit
The Love Island star appeared in the launch show alongside this year's ten-strong line-up - which includes Boy George, Mike Tindall and Babatúndé Aléshé - but less than 24 hours later, ITV confirmed that the reality television favourite was forced to leave the jungle after undergoing some medical checks.
The broadcaster released a statement earlier on Monday afternoon, in which Olivia's withdrawal was confirmed. It read: "As a precautionary measure Olivia needed to leave the jungle to undergo some medical checks.
"Unfortunately, the medical team has advised it is not safe for Olivia to return to camp as there needs to be a further investigation. She has been absolutely brilliant and she'll be very much missed on the show."
Ahead of the show airing at 9pm on Monday, those looking after Olivia's social media account took to her Instagram to share a statement to her Story. Posting a picture of the TOWIE star, they told her 1.9 million followers: "To say Olivia is heartbroken would be an understatement, she dreamed of doing I'm a Celeb for years, and was absolutely loving every second of the show and throwing herself into jungle life feet first (just as we knew she would).
"However, for reasons beyond her control her journey has been cut short. Your support and kind words have meant the world to her now as much as it always has."
They added: "You will hear the truth from Olivia in due course and she will be back on your screens in the New Year. PS. Who's going to roast Matt Hancock now?"
This sad news comes after Olivia was voted by the public to be a VIP [in this case means 'very isolated person'] and chose radio DJ Chris Moyles to join her before they both completed a parachute jump out of a helicopter.
Despite viewers knowing she has left the show, Olivia was seen facing the show's first trial in tonight's episode alongside Chris, Boy George and Scarlette Douglas. For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
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