Grace Dent left her campmates teary-eyed with a heartbreaking goodbye letter on Monday night’s episode of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
Fans had been left concerned for the food critic, 50, after she had begun to look ‘scarily unwell’ during her time in the jungle – and it was announced she had quit the show for good earlier on Monday.
On Sunday evening Grace was nominated for latest trial Down The Tubes with This Morning host Josie Gibson, only to pull out on medical grounds.
She left a farewell message for her emotional campmates in the form of a laminated letter, which was read aloud by a teary Nick Pickard.
Grace admitted she believed she had ‘let down’ her campmates and said her heart was ‘broken’ following her exit as the campmates found out she had left the jungle for the first time.
Emotional: Grace Dent left her campmates teary-eyed with a heartbreaking goodbye letter on Monday night’s episode of I’m A Celebrity, read out by Nick Pickard
Struggle: Fans had been left concerned for the food critic, 50, after she had begun to look ‘scarily unwell’ during her time in the jungle
The full statement read: ‘My Dear campmates, I’m so sorry to let you down. I have left the camp for medical reasons.
‘My heart is broken, I have loved and enjoyed getting to know you all. You’ve held me up and it’s been a pleasure being your friend through this experience.
‘Leaving you all at this stage will be one of the saddest things in my life. I love you all. Your friend, Miss Grace Dent.’
The letter was met with an outpouring of emotion from her fellow campmates, who chorused: ‘We love you Grace!’ as EastEnders’s Danielle was also reduced to tears.
Marvin exclaimed: ‘She hasn’t let us down,’ while Nella Rose said: ‘She’s like my pillar of strength. My little fairy godmother. As long as she’s happy I’m happy.’
Later on the group made a thoughtful toast to Grace over dinner as they enjoyed the meal Josie and Danielle had won in the trial.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, viewers were also moved by the note, and wished Grace had more screentime while she was on the show.
One said: ‘The campmates talking about Grace was lovely. It is a pity she didn’t get more airtime to see that side of her.’
Reaction: Fans all wished Grace had been given more screentime as she left a sweet note for her campmates
Upset: EastEnders’s Danielle Harold was reduced to tears at the news of Grace’s departure
Difficult: Nella said Grace had been her ‘fairy godmother’ and they had bonded over their jungle experience
Another added: ‘It’s a shame we didn’t see much of Grace, sounds like everyone thought a lot of her but we saw absolutely nothing.’
A third said: ‘yeah we didn’t see much of grace but the celebs spent all day every day with her, she obviously made a big impact on them all which is so sweet, bless danielle getting upset over it :((‘
However one noted: ‘Grace said more in that letter than in any episode this series!’
The food critic caught a flight back to the United Kingdom on Monday after seven days in camp, hours after pulling out of the show’s latest Bushtucker Trial.
Grace had sparked concern among ITV viewers, with many commenting on her gaunt appearance and pale, drawn complexion prior to her abrupt departure.
But sources claim her ordeal in the makeshift jungle camp ‘was a mental battle rather than physical and after a couple of days of rest and recovery she will be fine.’
On Monday it was revealed she had decided to leave after ‘losing all her energy’ in camp and reaching breaking point as she faced the prospect of doing another Bushtucker Trial.
Within three hours of the announcement being made Grace was spotted at Brisbane Airport as she made her return to the United Kingdom.
An ITV statement read: ‘Unfortunately Grace Dent has left the show on medical grounds. She has been a great campmate and will be missed by her fellow celebrities and viewers alike’ (Grace is pictured just before entering camp with her trademark red lipstick)
Farewell: On Sunday evening Grace was nominated for latest trial Down The Tubes with This Morning host Josie Gibson , only to pull out on medical grounds
The food critic refused to talk to press at the airport and kept her head down as she rushed through the terminal.
Grace failed to raise a smile as she waited to check in and was spotted repeatedly rubbing her elbow as she waited in line.
At one point she was spotted using her phone as a mirror after she had sparked concerns among viewers with her ‘unwell’ appearance in the jungle.
She took advantage of having her creature comforts returned and sported her trademark red lipstick.
Grace was casually clad for her flight, sporting a black vest top and loose fitting jeans.
After checking in Grace was down the escalator through a VIP entrance by her security team.
An insider has since revealed to that Grace’s jungle exit was mutually decided between Grace and show bosses, who had intervened after seeing her visible deterioration in camp.
A source close to the MasterChef star revealed: ‘Grace decided to leave the jungle soon after it was announced that she would be doing the latest Bushtucker Trial.
‘Knowing that she would be facing another tough challenge was the straw that broke the camel’s back.’
They continued: ‘It was mutually agreed that she would stand down from the competition, it was clear that she wasn’t being herself, she had lost all energy when usually she’s witty and fun to be around.
‘ITV’s duty of care and welfare teams had stepped in, and rightly so.
‘She had struggled since living in the camp with less amenities, the weather this year has been particularly miserable and as a restaurant critic, not eating well proved to be harder than she could have ever imagined.
‘Grace is looking forward to seeing her loved ones now and after a few days of rest and recovery will be fine.’
Grace has struggled since kicking off her journey filming the Pole Position trial on Friday, November 24 and last week threatened to quit the show.
ITV confirmed her departure on Monday with a statement that read: ‘Unfortunately Grace Dent has left the show on medical grounds. She has been a great campmate and will be missed by her fellow celebrities and viewers alike.’
Unwell: Grace quit I’m A Celebrity after ‘losing all her energy’ in camp and reaching breaking point as she faced the prospect of doing another Bushtucker Trial (pictured on Sunday’s show)
Concern: Fans claimed they didn’t even recognise the usual bubbly and glam MasterChef star (pictured left on Friday’s show and right on MasterChef in 2021)
I’m A Celebrity 2023: Meet the campmates
NIGEL FARAGE
Claim to fame: Former leader of the UK Independence Party and leader of the Brexit Party.
Phobias: Nobody likes rats, snakes and I am dreading anything to do with heights.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel?: I have been demonised over the years and so it will be nice to show people I am not nasty.
Role in camp: Lead on starting up plenty of campfire discussions.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp?: A pint in the pub and the news.
Best & worst attributes: I hope to cheer people up when they are down. Worst? I am impatient and I do snore.
Dream camper: As a controversial political media figure, I never name names… But I am looking forward to meeting interesting people from all different fields
DANIELLE HAROLD
Claim to fame: EastEnders actress.
Phobias: Rats. I hate them!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I can be a little ditzy at times but I am definitely not a ‘dumb blonde’. I want to show I can do the trials, challenges and get stuck in.
Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on, help others if they are feeling low in camp.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Snacking. I am a little muncher and I am going to miss my morning cup of tea, too!
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I will be good if people are really struggling. I am not, however, very good at being bored, nor am I a morning person either.
Dream camper: Ed Sheeran. If he brings his guitar into camp, he can sing for us.
FRED SIRIEIX
Claim to fame: First Dates star.
Phobias: I am scared of everything. I am dying to find out how vile the food will be!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I don’t think there is anything but I am looking forward to learning more about myself during my time in the camp.
Role in camp: I will definitely muck in with all the jobs. I don’t mind cooking or cleaning the toilets.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My bed. It’s super comfy. I will also miss a cup of coffee in the morning.
Best & worst attributes: I like to have fun but I do snore and I am impatient!
Dream camper: It’s going to be nice to meet everyone but I’d love to see Dolly Parton, The Rock or Snoop Dog in there.
NELLA ROSE
Claim to fame: YouTuber and Catfish UK star.
Phobias: I am fearful of everything!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle? I am a pretty open book.
Role in camp: Keep the morale and humour high.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My phone… I am always on it!
Dream camper: Alison Hammond or Adele.
NICK PICKARD
Claim to fame: Hollyoaks star.
Phobias: I am a bit scared of the dark. When you go to the House of Horrors at Halloween and things jump out at you, I am not very good when I can’t see!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: It will be nice to go in as me and not as my Hollyoaks character.
Role in camp: Grafter or chef, I am quite good at cooking. But I’ve never cooked on a fire before. Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp: Football and my creature comforts.
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am a nice person and a good team player. I am not lazy but I do have a few bad habits like picking my nose. My girlfriend has been trying to train me to stop!
Dream camper: Sir Alex Ferguson or Neil Warnock.
FRANKIE DETTORI
Claim to fame: Champion Jockey
Phobias: I am not sure as I don’t walk across rooftop planks in the middle of the day nor do I have any snakes or rats in the house!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: None. I’ve lived in the public domain for as long as I can remember so I’d hope everyone knows me well.
Role in camp: To have fun with everyone, I am a happy-go- lucky person.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? Travelling. I have spent my whole life at airports and I’ve got to like it!
Best & worst attributes: I am outgoing and I am a fighter. Worst? I can’t sit still and I am impatient.
Dream camper: Robbie Williams would be fun.
JAMIE LYNN SPEARS
Claim to fame: Zoey 101 and Sweet Magnolias star.
Phobias: I am scared of everything.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I think this is a nice chance to show who I really am.
Role in camp: Hopefully I will be the one who can support everyone.
Aside from family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? A normal bathroom, air conditioning and my bed.
Best & worst attributes: I think my best quality is it takes a lot to hurt my feelings; but I am impatient and my family would say I get in a bad mood a lot.
Dream camper: Nicole Kidman, she is my favourite actress in the whole wide world, or Reece Witherspoon.
SAM THOMPSON
Claim to fame: Made In Chelsea star and radio presenter.
Phobias: I am not a creepy crawly guy and I hate anyone or anything touching my neck.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: Since the age of 21, I’ve spent my whole life on TV and so I feel whether people have a good or bad opinion of me, it’s probably warranted!
Role in camp: I’m a ‘yes’ man so cooking, cleaning I will do whatever they want me to do.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: I know this sounds lame but gaming.
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am the court jester and I don’t take things too seriously, so if anyone is having a bad day I would like to put a smile on their face. Worst? I am quite forgetful and I am bad at focusing on things.
Dream camper: Stephen Fry. I think I would self-combust if he was going in the jungle!
JOSIE GIBSON
Claim to fame: This Morning presenter.
Phobias: Insects and I freeze every time I see a spider and I am not sure what I am going to do if I am in a trial with them!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I would like people to know I am very clever at knowing useless information!
Role in camp: Mum. I am very motherly and I also love chatting to people.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Getting up to blow dry my hair and putting a bit of make-up on!
Best & worst attributes: I am an optimist and I love meeting people from all walks of life. Worst? I can be quite nosey and I am worried about my temper if I am too hungry.
Dream camper: Dawn French, I love her.
MARVIN HUMES
Claim to fame: JLS star.
Phobias: Heights. I have pulled out of a skydive with JLS in the past because I was too scared!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: To show I am not just a member of a boy band. It will be nice for people to learn more about me.
Role in camp: I’d like to think I will be a shoulder to cry on and a mediator.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: My fantasy football app! I am obsessed with it! Four weeks without music is a long time, too.
Best & worst attributes: I’ve got three children under the age of ten and you definitely need a lot of patience for that! Worst? Rochelle would probably say I get ‘hangry’ if I don’t have enough food.
Dream camper: Paddy McGuinness – I’ve done Soccer Aid with him before and I know he’s funny, he gets stuck in and he is hands on.
GRACE DENT
Claim to fame: MasterChef star and food critic.
Phobias: Horrible people.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: People think I am quite forthright and scary but I don’t think I am scary! Hopefully people will see this.
Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on and I am a practical cook so I can help out.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My three cats and my make-up bag. I love a bit of glamour.
Best & worst attributes: I would like to think I am funny! My worst quality is lack of sleep. I like my sleep.
Dream camper: Queen Camilla. She would be very practical. And Madonna – she could perform tracks from her Greatest Hits tour!
TONY BELLEW
Claim to fame: Former champion boxer
Phobias: Like most normal people, I am scared of almost everything.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: People will portray me as something I am not because of the profession I have had. I am just a normal person.
Role in camp: I’d like to think I am domesticated so hopefully I can help out.
Best & worst attributes: I do get hangry…who doesn’t! But I am easy going and I get on with everyone.