The brand new series of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here is set to kick off later this month – and former contestant, Helen Flanagan, has been reminiscing about her own time on the show.
Appearing on the Never Fully Dressed podcast, the former Westholme School pupil, revealed that the reality show “was not for [her]”.
“It was an experience,” she told Lucy Aylen, the founder of the podcast, with a laugh.
“I think with I’m a Celebrity, I don’t regret any of it, I love the social aspects of it because I loved everybody in the camp and I got on with everybody – but it was not for me.”
Helen appeared on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here back in 2012 and was the fifth person to be eliminated – but she is now regarded by many as one of the most memorable contestants to have appeared on the show.
After showing her fear in the first episode, the public voted for her to take part in seven trails in a row, competing in eating challenges and games involving plenty of creepy crawlies.
She also quit several of the bushtucker trials, at times without any stars or meals for camp.
Recalling her experience on the podcast, Helen admitted she didn’t know what she was “letter herself in for” before taking part.
She explained: “Obviously it’s a huge show but I only watched I’m a Celebrity for a little bit – I think I only watched one show.
“I remember thinking it would be really good fun and that I’d make really good friends in the camp, it will be a laugh.
“I’ll probably get one trial and I’ll blag it, it will be fine.”
However, her fear started to set in once she was on the plane heading into the jungle.
31-year-old Helen said: “I remember looking clips up on YouTube as I was going in on the flight and I was thinking… ‘oh wow’.”
“I was terrified and there was snot coming down from my nose,” she laughed.
She also talked about her fear of heights and how the show’s crew had to push from a platform edge for one challenge, which saw her with mascara streaming down her face on the show.
She said: “I’m terrified of heights and I remember when we actually entered the jungle and it was like Go Ape but times 100 – it was horrendous.
“They never showed this but I actually had to be pushed [by crew]. My nerves had gone before I even arrived.”
You can watch the full episode of Never Fully Dressed on Spotify.
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