As I’m a Celebrity: Get Me Out of Here returns to our screens, former campmates have revealed the biggest challenges they faced when roughing it in the jungle, in support of WaterAid’s Access Denied campaign.
Last year’s King of the Jungle, Harry Redknapp, missed his wife Sandra and – you guessed it – jam roly-polys, while Queen of the Jungle, Vicky Pattison, found it difficult without her biggest cheerleader – her Mum. Motorcycle legend and 2014 winner, Carl Fogarty, craved a good cup of tea and actor, Christopher Biggins, struggled with boredom.
But they were all united on one major challenge. While fans of the show might expect munching on animal body parts to top their shared tribulations, it was the lack of clean water and a nice toilet on which they were all agreed.
The veteran stars of the ITV reality show have revealed how water went from being something they didn’t think about – that was available at the turn of a tap – to a luxury they no longer took for granted. They are now supporting WaterAid’s Access Denied campaign, which aims to raise £2 million to help get clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene to some of the world’s poorest communities.
Former football manager, Harry Redknapp, said:
“Life in the jungle was certainly no walk in the park. I missed my wife Sandra and craved a decent jam roly-poly when all I could get was food like crocodile’s tail, and even then, I had to earn that pleasure. But my jungle hell was over in three weeks, and then I was able to return to my family and home comforts.
“Millions of people around the world are still waiting for basics such as clean water and decent toilets – things we take for granted. I’m supporting WaterAid as I believe no one should have their access denied to these necessities.”
TV personality, Vicky Pattison, said:
“In the jungle I really missed my Mum. Whatever I’m going through, wherever I am, she’s usually just a phone call away. She’s my biggest cheerleader and has given me the best opportunities in life! Having been in the jungle twice, I found there was a lot of time to think about what is important in life, and to really appreciate what we have.”
Comedian Joe Pasquale said:
“The thing I missed most was a proper toilet…. one with a door and with water that flushed, rather than just a hole in a lump of wood that gave me splinters in my little bum!”
Stand-up comedian, Shappi Khorsandi, who battled the infamous bush-tucker trials in 2017, said having her period in the jungle was among the biggest challenges:
“In the jungle you couldn’t keep properly clean and fresh. I was on my period, so I felt particularly horrible not being able to have a proper shower – it was so public in there. I’m usually fastidious about cleanliness so constantly feeling a bit icky impacted on my mood and ability to enjoy myself. The minute I got out, I poured myself a lovely hot bubble bath!”
Former model and presenter, Nell McAndrew, missed space and “the freedom go for a run”, while also admitting that going to the toilet outside in the middle of the night bothered her. She added:
“Being in the jungle definitely made me think of all the things that we can all take for granted. To have access to clean water is essential.”
For up to three weeks, this year’s contestants will have to collect their own water – boiling it before drinking – and will have to use a long-drop toilet.
Across the world 785 million men, women and children live without clean water close to home, while a quarter of the global population do not have access to a decent toilet.
Marcus Missen, WaterAid’s Director of Communications and Fundraising, said:
“Forget bushtucker trials and dingo dollar challenges; for up to three weeks celebrities get a small taste of what it is like to live with their access denied to basic services like clean running water and a nice toilet.
“This is the daily reality for millions of people across the world who are denied access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene simply because of who they are, how much money they have, or where they live. This robs them of their chance of an education and financially secure life and causes diseases that claim the lives of 800 children every single day.
“WaterAid is working to tackle this injustice, and we are very grateful to Harry, Shappi and all the other celebrities who have used their time in the jungle to raise awareness of this vital issue as part of our Access Denied campaign.”
