Ant and Dec were assured by Richard Madeley that he is ‘gutted’. He was also given a “clean bill” in his first interview since leaving I’m A Celebrity.
In a pre-recorded chat the broadcaster, 65, told the Geordie duo that ‘if it wasn’t for Covid, he’d still be in the game’ and that ITV were ‘adamant’ he was sent to hospital to be checked over.
Richard became ill Thursday morning after taking part in a hard trial. The show is now without Richard.
Shock departure: A ‘gutted’ Richard Madeley reassured Ant and Dec he was ‘fit as a fiddle’ in his first interview after leaving the I’m A Celebrity camp during Friday night’s episode
It comes as I’m A Celeb bosses were forced to pre-record Friday night’s show amid safety concerns for contestants as Storm Arwen hit Gwrych castle.
Ant and Dec did not present the episode live the first time they have done so in 19 years of show history. They recorded their segments on Friday morning ahead of the worsening storm.
On Friday’s episode Richard joined Ant and Dec for an interview and joked as he mimed removing a thermometer: ‘I’ll just remove the thermometer… yes, still normal.’
When asked if he felt okay, the star replied that he feels as fit and healthy as a fiddle. You know, if Covid wasn’t there I would be eating beans and rice again.
Chatting: In a pre-recorded chat the broadcaster, 65, told the Geordie duo that ‘if it wasn’t for Covid, he’d still be in the game’ and that ITV were ‘adamant’ he was sent to hospital to be checked over
‘I had to leave… it’s a Covid situation. The Covid situation is still getting to our bums. The funny thing was that it happened very late in the morning.
He added: “ITV are so great with duty of care. They refused to listen. They were insistent. So I went to the local hospital – I was only in there for about an hour and a half – I was given really thorough checks and I was given a completely clean bill of health, I’m absolutely fine. I am absolutely fine, no matter what anyone might think.
Richard continued, “But I did not hang on after being discharged for approximately 20 minutes, because I went straight to the canteen and got a bacon sandwich. I went to that place first for a bacon sandwich. The bacon butty was served with an enormous cup of hot tea.
Having his say: On Friday’s episode Richard joined Ant and Dec for an interview and joked as he mimed removing a thermometer: ‘I’ll just remove the thermometer… yes, still normal’
Oh my! Richard, one of the top show signings, fell ill after completing a difficult trial. He can no longer return to show because he broke the show’s “Covid bubble”.
The exact words are: “I ate hospital food. It’s all fine. Like I said, even without Covid, I would still be playing the game. I’m gutted. “I’m really gutted.
The other campmates received a message from Richard at the beginning of the episode.
In the clip Richard said: ‘Hi guys, first thing to tell you straight away is I’m completely fine, it was what was known as a false alarm but I had to come out for a couple of hours of medical checks.
Gross: Richard participated in a horrid bush-tucker trial in which he crawled through fish guts and rotting fruit and vegetables which he complained were cold – before eating a squirrel for dinner
In which case I can/should go back in right now with you. However, Covid is our friend and we had to bring the bug out and ruin the experience for the Covid viewers and us. That’s all for now.
He said, “I just wanted to tell you how much you love me. You know that I do that. I am going to create the WhatsApp group that we talked about so that you can come out.
We can still talk and possibly meet again. I’ll keep an eye on the results for the next couple of weeks, and wish you every love and success. Can’t wait until I see who the winner is!
Richard was seen at home Friday, looking frail and in good spirits.
Emmerdale Danny Miller was among the first to speak out, declaring: “Waking up at dawn in camp to not see Richard’s smiling face was tough.
Louise Minchin (former BBC Breakfast star) added, “Everytime we walked by his…” [Richard’s]It was another heartbreaking experience. Frankie and me hope that he returns so we made Frankie’s bed.
“We could see his smile, his personality, his laugh, his joy, his brilliant and his funny face.
Frankie stated that he was saddened and missed him. Yes, he made the perfect video.
Richard spoke with Ant and Dec about whether the show was exactly what he expected.
‘Gutted’: In a statement on Thursday Richard, who was believed to be at Glan Clwyd Hospital in Rhyl, reassured fans he’s ‘fine’ after his health scare
He replied, “Yes and no. This was the format of the show that I was familiar with. However, one reason I wanted it and why I said yes to it this year was that I was becoming more curious about how it feels psychologically.
I know the rules of the games, I have done some when I worked on ITV2 in Australia. It was interesting to me, journalistically and from an inside perspective, what the real experience looked like. It was quite a surprise. I learned that the psychological pressures on you…
‘I mean the pressures you put us under when we went into The Clink, into the prison, I thought when you said you’re going to spend your first night in The Clink, I thought yeah that’s a funny gimmick for the cameras and for the audience… but no, we were properly in prison, we were locked in, huge gates and it was claustrophobic.’
When asked which Castle friends he will miss, he replied: “Oh, blimey. I’ll be missing David. I’ll also miss Louise. I’ll love Arlene. They’re sweet, and they are. Is he not macho? He is your kind of wingman. He is a kind, thoughtful man who was comforting and supportive at times. Their friendship will always be a part of my heart.
He ended the interview with the following: “Thanks for having me.” Thank you for asking. It was a pleasure.
Richard was forced to quit I’m A Celeb after becoming ill following a gruelling bushtucker trial in which he crawled through fish guts and rotting fruit and vegetables which he complained were cold – before eating a squirrel for dinner.
The Good Morning Britain presenter was treated at Glan Clwyd Hospital in Wales – which meant that he broke Gwrych Castle’s Covid-safe bubble and ultimately had to leave the show.
A spokesperson for I’m A Celebrity stated that Richard had to be removed from the program due to strict Covid protocol. He is not in the bubble celebrities create when they enter the castle. His camp mate has been an amazing one and we are very grateful for him being part of the series.
The news was made public on Friday by Richard, who is not well enough to make Good Morning Britain’s Monday appearance. He was pictured looking happy outside his home today.
A storm is coming: I’m A Celeb bosses were forced to pre-record Friday night’s show amid safety concerns for contestants as Storm Arwen hit Gwrych castle
Discussing his experience on Friday show, fellow GMB star Richard Arnold also spoke of the host’s whopping £200,000 fee, admitting he’s ‘not sure he’ll forfeit his fee yet’.
Ben Shephard said that the show bosses were unsure if this former anchor of This Morning would feel well enough to be able to join them. He stated: “Apparently, we’ll talk to him Monday. Perhaps we won’t. We’re hearing he’s too ill. We’re going to talk with Richard Monday.
Ben also shared his view on Madeley leaving camp. This is a real shame, as Richard had been trying to convince the other camp members not to go. And then it happened.
“It seems like it was a Covid-19 protocol problem, he burst the bubble to get to hospital but then couldn’t return in.
“It feels like somebody’s made some mistakes there.” This is a shame, though. He has been an integral part in the success of this show.
Naughty Boy was the other celebrity who won Friday’s I’m A Celebrity Episode.
Ant and Dec were both surprised when he arrived. I am looking forward to this solo Trial. It is my first.
Ant stated, “This Creepy Closets.” Six Creepy Closets are behind us. Inside them, there are eleven stars. To find the stars, you will need to spend two minutes each in each closet. You can then take the star home in your star bag.
Having a tough time: Elsewhere on Friday night’s episode of I’m A Celebrity, it was Naughty Boy who took on the Trial
Dec said, “Now this is a Trial. So the chances are that you won’t have to be alone in any one of them.”
Naughty Boy was looking through clothes to find stars when he got sprayed with offal and fish guts.
He was sprayed with different critters as he moved around the various areas. Ant and Dec encouraged him to go faster as he went through each area.
Naughty Boy kept repeating: “Woah woah woah,” as he looked at the various rooms.
He faced several corn snakes in the last room, but he quickly located one of the stars there. In the final seconds of his time, he found the last one and managed to get it into his bag. He completed all 11 of them.
Challenging: As Naughty Boy started searching through the clothes for stars, he was pelted with fish guts and offal
I’m A Celeb’s bosses had to record Friday’s show before they could broadcast it. This was due to safety concerns regarding contestants when Storm Arwen rammed Gwrych castle.
Ant & Dec didn’t present the episode live for the first time in the show’s 19-year history and filmed their segments earlier this afternoon ahead of the storm worsening.
Storm Arwen was expected to strike the local region around 9pm. The episode aired simultaneously on ITV. ITV producers were worried that impending weather conditions might impact satellite links.
The announcement comes amid rising fears that I’m a Celeb bosses may have made the series too difficult after Richard Madeley’s sudden departure.
Doing what they can: Speaking in a short clip posted to their Instagram ahead of the show the duo explained about the change to the show, with the storm and strong winds clearly audible in the background
MailOnline received this statement from ITV: “Tonight’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Out Of Here!” Because of the Storm Arwen developing and preventive measures that we have taken on production, it will be broadcast pre-recorded rather than live.
‘Ant & Dec will record their links early evening and these will be played out during tonight’s show. We have plans to protect our celebrities and staff from any weather, so we will keep them inside the castle.
A short clip was uploaded to Instagram by the couple to explain the shift to the show.
Dec stated: “So, you probably know that we have to record the show earlier tonight due to the winds and storm Arwen. It’s terrible. You can feel the wind whipping.
Location: The 19th century castle is positioned high up on a hill in an open space, less than a mile from Liverpool Bay which borders the Irish sea
The satellite may go down, and it is threatening to bring everyone to the ground. Live shows are a little risky. It will need to be recorded as it is our first attempt at that.
He laughed and said, “It’s windy. And worse that lentils were for lunch!” It’s also windy for Ant!
Gwrych Castle has taken a beating from gale force winds, rain and falling tree branches. Safety signs have also been damaged.
The Met Office has warned there is worse to come for the area around the castle later tonight from a storm they have given the Welsh name of Arwen.
After the initial heavy blasts, security guards had to be removed from their positions by Gwrych Castle’s eleven celebrity guests to retrieve or reposition the fences that were damaged.
Signs that had been made with sandbags were removed and then blown onto the roads.
Bad weather: The area around the abandoned Welsh castle has seen signs and fencing destroyed.
Producers of Extreme Weather Warnings had to resort to emergency actions to ensure the safety and comfort of their stars while they are in the 19th-century castle.
According to the Met Office, Storm Arwen would bring strong winds from the north into parts of Wales and western England on Friday and Saturday.
Gwrych castle, located high on a hill overlooking an open area is less than one mile from Liverpool Bay that borders the Irish Sea.
Met Office added that flying debris could cause injuries or death to people.
“Some roads and bridges may close. There’s a chance of power outages, which could affect mobile coverage or other services.
Large waves, beach material and other debris thrown on to properties and roads along the coast can cause injuries and death.
Windy: The Met Office said: ‘Storm Arwen will bring very strong northerly winds into coastal parts of Wales and parts of western England Friday night and into Saturday’