Actor John Barrowman quit Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins 32 minutes after he arrived at base camp.
The former Doctor Who star, 57, was part of the sixth series of the Channel 4 reality show, which returned to TV screens on Sunday evening and showed celebrities taking part in SAS winter warfare training in the south islands of New Zealand.
Barrowman, who opened up about the flashing allegations he faced in 2021 while on the show, could be seen throwing up sometime after the first challenge.
After the contestants put on their uniforms and got ready to see their accommodation, Barrowman started heaving and told the group “I’m out.”
Asked by Mark “Billy” Billingham if he would like to see a doctor, Barrowman then said: “No… I’m done.”
He added: “I just… it’s not for me, I know who I am and what I’m about, it’s not for me.”
The narrator of the programme said: “After only 32 minutes on base, number 13 John is the first recruit to leave the course.”
But who else has quit a reality TV show early?
Olivia Attwood in I’m a Celebrity
Love Island star and Loose Women panellist Olivia Attwood was another who did not last long, and quit the I’m a Celebrity jungle after just 24 hours.
Attwood, who was the first contestant from the ITV dating show to make it into the jungle, reportedly had to leave the show for medical reasons.
A spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, the medical team has advised it is not safe for Olivia to return to camp as there needs to be further investigation. She has been absolutely brilliant and she’ll be very much missed on the show.”
Lady Colin Campbell in I’m a Celebrity
Another early exit was Lady Colin Campbell who left the jungle after becoming one of the most controversial contestants in the show’s history.
During her time Down Under, she point blank refused to take part in a number of the trials and was hesitant to take part in chores around the camp.
The royal biographer then left camp on medical grounds. ITV said at the time that she had “locked horns” with many of her fellow campmates.
Germaine Greer, Big Brother
Germaine was the first ever celebrity to walk away from the Big Brother house during the third series, quitting just six days into the experience. She accused the show of using “bullying” tactics and said Big Brother had behaved “like a child rather than a parent”.
Leo Sayer, Big Brother
Another who walked away from the famous house was singer Leo Sayer.
After staying silent during a particularly hard task set by Big Brother bosses, he walked out on Day 10 because Big Brother wouldn’t give him clean underwear. Having a bit of a meltdown over the suggestion that he could perhaps wash a pair he already has, he used a garden tool to open a fire door, left the house and swore at security guards who tried to stop him.
Amanda Abbington, Strictly Come Dancing
Actress Amanda Abbington left the dancing show, amid rumours of rifts between the dancing pair.
The BBC confirmed the stars exit, saying: “Amanda Abbington is unable to continue in Strictly Come Dancing and has decided to withdraw from the competition. The show wishes her all the best for the future.”
Abbington, 51, posted a statement of her own in the days following, explaining that she was “unable to go any further” for “personal reasons”.
Gemma Collins, I’m a Celebrity
Towie star Gemma Collins was very vocal about her time in the jungle, despite it being very brief.
She was heard saying: “I don’t think I’m going to be able to do this jungle lark”, immediately after joining the show when she was sent to the celebrity slammer as part of a task.
She lasted three days in the Australian jungle.
She said at one point: “People who murder get treated better than this. That’s the truth. Even a murderer gets fed three times a day.”
A spokesman for the show said: “We’re sorry to see Gemma go but respect her decision and wish her well.”
