KERRY Katona has revealed the reason she isn’t appearing in I’m A Celebrity South Africa.
The singer and reality star, 42, was crowned Queen of the Jungle back in 2004 as the show soared to record ratings.
Kerry Katona said she turned down a return to I’m A Celeb
She was crowned jungle queen in 2004
But Kerry insists she was always hesitant to revisit the show.
She wrote in her New magazine column: “I’m not watching I’m A Celebrity… South Africa because I’m too busy to watch any telly at the minute.
“None of the contestants have grasped my attention. The only one I adore is Dean Gaffney – he’s a good friend and I hope he wins. ITV asked me to be in it.
“I was already committed to another TV show, but also, I don’t think the experience is something that can be relived.”
She called her original camp jaunt a “once in a lifetime opportunity” and said she didn’t want to tarnish that memory.
A return to the programme could also have been triggering for Kerry as it preceded a downturn in her personal life.
Kerry said that while winning was a “happy memory”, her life “tumbled down” afterwards.
She explained: “Watching the show brings back some bad feelings for me. I loved doing it and I’m so proud I was the first ever queen of the jungle, but my life went tumbling down after it.
However, her opinion appears to have shifted in recent years.
Back in 2021, she told the Daily Star that she would relish another crack at the programme.
She said: “I’ll definitely go back in. I thought, 20 year anniversary, they might do an all stars with the king and queens.”
Kerry is rooting for pal Dean Gaffney to win
