I’M A Celebrity’s Richard Madeley was rushed to hospital in the early hours of the morning after falling ill in the camp.
The TV presenter left stars and production staff terrified with the medical emergency – which saw medics rush to Gwrych Castle, where the ITV show is filmed.
“It was horrifying – campers were really upset and concerned, all of the crew and medics rushed to set to help him,” a source tells HOAR.
“It was a real scare for everyone involved.”
Richard was rushed to a nearby hospital by ambulance but is now “on the mend” say sources.
Richard’s scare came just one day after he was seen on TV doing the show’s Kitchen Nightmares trial – and hours after he competed in a group Bushtucker Trial with the other celebs.
The 65-year-old, who is married to Judy Finnigan and set to take over Piers Morgan’s job at Good Morning Britain in 2022, was in good health during the trial – joking and laughing with presenters Ant and Dec.
However, after struggling to untie knots and being pelted with rotten fruit, Richard ended up missing out on six out of ten stars for the camp and was left disappointed.
An ITV spokesperson said: “Richard was unwell in the early hours and was immediately seen by our on-site medical team.
“He’s since been taken to hospital as a precaution, the health and safety of our campmates is our priority.”
Read our I’m A Celeb 2021 live blog for the latest updates
A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 05.43am this morning, Thursday 25 November 2021, to reports of a medical emergency at Gwrych Castle in Abergele, Conwy.
“We sent a paramedic in a rapid response car and an emergency ambulance to the scene, and one patient was taken to hospital.”
After the trial – seen on air last night – a disheartened Richard returned to camp and told them how difficult he found it.
Fortunately, the campmates graciously accepted that he’d done his best and sat down to a dinner of squirrel.
Speaking prior to entering the castle, Richard revealed he was very up for taking part in trials.
He said: “I really hope I do get voted for the Trials.
“The thing about this programme is you mustn’t go in to it if you take yourself remotely seriously. I don’t and I am thoroughly looking forward to being covered in god knows what!
“You have to be prepared for people to laugh and I see this as a bl**dy great romp of fun!”
Richard and wife Judy are parents to Chloe, 34, and Jack, 35, and grandparents to Jack’s son Kit.
