I’M A Celebrity viewers are furious about the show’s strict Covid rules which have meant Richard Madeley has had to leave.
The 65-year-old was rushed to hospital in the early hours of Thursday morning but was unable to return because he breached the contestants’ secure Covid bubble.
Hosts Ant and Dec admitted they were “gutted” by the news as they kicked off the show last night.
Ant said: “You’ve probably heard the sad news already but Richard Madeley has had to leave the castle.”
Dec continued: “Yes, Richard was taken ill in the early hours of this morning.
“He’s absolutely fine but sadly due to Covid restrictions he’s now unable return to the camp.”
Ant added: “He’s gutted, we’re gutted, we’ll have the full story including an interview with the man himself on Monday night’s show.”
Richard also said he was “gutted” to leave I’m A Celebrity after his early hours medical emergency.
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Ambulance crews who were called at 5.23am yesterday rushed him to hospital for tests.
He wrote on Instagram: “Gutted to be leaving so soon but the safety of all the campmates is the No1 priority. I’m incredibly excited to watch their journey continue — even more so at the prospect of being somewhere a little warmer.”
Those watching at home took to Twitter to complain about the rules.
One person moaned: “Covid rules a complete joke, if @richardm56 Is double jabbed plus a booster tests negative for covid why don’t they let him back? Us mere mortals would go back to work. #ImACeleb.”
