FORMER I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! star Iain Lee has announced his “retirement” from broadcasting ahead of a big career change.
Iain, 49, has worked in both television and radio for three decades, although it hasn’t always been plain sailing.
He previously battled a drug addiction and has spoken openly about his struggles with his mental health.
Now, after 30 years in broadcasting, Iain has decided to hang up his headphones and mic and change his career path completely.
In a statement, the Jack FM host confirmed that he is focusing on working full-time as a counsellor.
Iain wrote on Twitter: “Hey everyone, a bit of news, a few weeks ago I handed my notice in at Jack FM.
“Not sure how long I’ve got left (maybe nothing after this tweet!). It wasn’t working for me with no producer, podcast or daily best bits.’
“It’s also made me realise I don’t want to work in radio anymore so I’m announcing my retirement from broadcasting to focus full time on my counselling work.’”
He added: “I’ve been working in this industry for 30 years and I’m really tired. So, onto new and better adventures. Thank you radio, for most of it it was a blast. X”
In December, Iain hinted at his big career change by telling his 102,500 Twitter followers that he had qualified as a counsellor.
He said: “I am now a qualified counsellor. Right now I’m working primarily via Zoom. I have some spaces on my books.
“If you’d like to chat about how I can help with depression, anxiety, addiction and many other things, please send an email.”
During his 30-year career, Iain has hosted talk shows on LBC, Absolute Radio, BBC Three Counties Radio, BBC Radio WM, and talkRADIO.
He has won numerous industry awards over the decades.
Iain has also worked in television, mostly notably co-hosting both Channel 4’s The 11 O’Clock Show and breakfast show RI:SE.
Iain walked away from the fifth series of The 11 O’Clock show in 2000 just days before filming.
The show had previously received criticism from Ofcom for an “offensive” reference to murdered Crimewatch host Jill Dando.
Iain was landed the job of co-hosting Channel 4’s breakfast show RI:SE in 2003 with Big Brother’s Kate Lawler.
He later admitted to taking drugs before episodes of the live show aired to cope with stress.
Iain entered the jungle in 2017 and is best remembered for the ‘Strawberry Gate’ controversy alongside Amir Khan.
Together with Amir, the broadcast star sneaked off and gorged on a serving of strawberries and cream that they had won in the Dingo Dollar Challenge.
Fans were furious with the pair for deceiving their fellow campmates, although guilt-ridden Iain did end up confessing all to them.
