The full tragic list of I'm a Celebrity stars who have died after appearing on the show
I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! has seen a number of famous faces pass through its jungle camp over the years, with some beloved stars sadly no longer with us
Since its inception in 2002, I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! has become a TV staple, bringing a bevy of celebs to the Aussie jungle and delivering unforgettable moments.
Who could forget Gillian McKeith's dramatic fainting spell during a live trial, Anthony Worrall Thompson leading a sit down protest about the poor food, or Gemma Collins' brief yet memorable 72-hour adventure? The show has kept us glued to our screens for over 20 years.
However, it's not without its sombre moments as we've had to bid farewell to some beloved participants. Let's remember the I'm A Celeb stars who have sadly passed away....
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Bobby Ball
Bobby Ball, the comedy legend, captured hearts with his hilarious jungle catwalk in a striking pink catsuit back in 2005. Famous for his work on shows like Not Going Out, Bobby came in fifth place.
Tragically, Bobby died in October 2020 at the age of 76 due to Covid complications at Blackpool's Victoria Hospital. "At first it was thought to be a chest infection but a test proved positive for Covid-19," reported the Express. The entertainment world was rocked by the loss, with Tommy Cannon, his long-time comedy partner, expressing his heartbreak: "Rock on, my good friend, I can't believe this, I'm devastated," he said at the time.
Tara Palmer-Tomkinson
Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, the socialite who tragically died in her sleep from a perforated ulcer in February 2017 at just 45, is fondly remembered for her iconic stint on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2002.
Her memorable dash to Ant and Dec's studio during the show led to an honest confession in her exit interview: "I just thought, 'What am I doing here, I seem to be irritating people, and I don't have that much confidence in myself'. It was a combination of so many things, I just thought - go!" In a heartfelt homage, her sister Santa Montefiore posted her eulogy on Facebook and Twitter, saying, "I know that Tara is here with us today in spirit, so I'm going to address this to her," it read.
"My darling Tara. I hope you know how much we miss you. From the moment you were born we were a family of five, but now we are four and that just isn't right."
David Gest
Music producer David Gest, known for his appearances on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2006 and Celebrity Big Brother in 2016, sadly passed away shortly after his time on the latter due to health issues. He was found dead in April 2016, in a posh Canary Wharf hotel, with his death being declared "non-suspicious".
His good friend Imad Handi commemorated David as "larger than life" in a statement, acknowledging the loss felt by countless fans globally, especially in Britain, where he was cherished for his wit and charm. "I know he will be missed by millions of fans around the world, and particularly in Britain, who came to love his charm and blistering one-liners," he remarked.
"If I may steal the words of one eminent critic, David was a natural star and a genuine celebrity. I will miss him desperately," said Eric Bristow, reflecting on his friend with deep emotion.
Eric Bristow
Darts icon Eric Bristow, a memorable fourth-place finisher on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! back in 2012, is still warmly remembered for his jungle antics, not least his bluntly unforgettable clash with soap star Helen Flanagan. In a candid conversation about skincare routines, Helen divulged her peculiar habit of melting ice lollies and drinking them, prompting Eric's forthright retort: "That's what done your skin, all that sh** you're eating."
Tragically, in 2019, we lost Eric at the tender age of 60. Heartbreakingly, after his stint Down Under, Eric collapsed at a glitzy event at Liverpool's Echo Arena just six years later.
Addressing his sudden death, his partner Bex revealed: "It was literally a heart attack. It wasn't anything to do with what happened in Australia. There was a small clot in Eric's heart valve and he was dead before he hit the floor."
Freddie Starr
Speaking of jungle dramas, comedian Freddie Starr's term among the creepy crawlies was crammed with turmoil. His participation in the 2011 series came to an abrupt halt as show producers fretted he "might die" while on set.
After a heart attack just the year before, Freddie collapsed during a live Bushtucker Trial, resulting in a dash to hospital and an ambulance ride. Medics pinned it down to an allergic reaction, though what triggered it remained a mystery.
In May 2019, the entertainment world was left in mourning when Freddie was found dead at his home in Spain at the age of 76. A post-mortem examination concluded that he died from ischemic heart disease, with the coroner stating it was the "result of a natural process".
Annabel Giles
The glamour and glitz of showbiz took a sombre turn in November 2023, as former Max Factor model and TV host Annabel Giles passed away at 64 in Martlets Hospital, Brighton and Hove. Known for her stints on ITV's Razzmatazz and her bestselling novels, Annabel's death came just months after a brain tumour diagnosis.
Annabel braved the jungle back in 2013, joining I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! as a latecomer and eventually finishing last. Her children have since taken to social media to honour their mother, sharing: "Mum was truly one of a kind, an enigma to those privileged to share her life. True to her nature, she kept spirits high and maintained her quick wit until the very end."
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