https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/im-celeb-campmates-sadly-no-28421131?utm_source=mirror_newsletter&utm_campaign=daily_evening_newsletter2&utm_medium=emailI'm A Celeb campmates sadly no longer with us as new series gets ready to launch
As the new series of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! gets ready to launch in Australia, we take a look at some of the show's contestants who are sadly no longer with us
By Victoria Johns Showbiz Reporter
14:32, 6 Nov 2022
I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! fans can't wait for the new series to start tonight (Nov 6) - but the launch is a timely reminder of the campmates who are no longer with us. Since the series started in 2002, a host of famous faces have chanced their arm in the Australian jungle, keeping viewers entertained for weeks. Sadly, some of the most popular contestants have passed away since the show's launch. Here we pay tribute to the stars of the jungle.
Tara Palmer-Tomkinson
It girl Tara was a joy to watch. The socialite and model appeared on the very first series alongside Tony Blackburn, Christine Hamilton and Darren Day. The star narrowly missed out on being crowned Queen of the Jungle, but kept viewers entertained with her no-filter comments. Berating Darren for farting, she said: "When you do that it makes me go 'yuck, I don’t want to be near you'. I don’t what to smell your insides 24/7."
Sadly, Tara passed away in February 2017, aged just 45, with her death treated as unexplained. The star's sister later revealed that her cause of death was a peritonitis and a perforated ulcer. A year earlier Tara been diagnosed with a prolactinoma, a benign tumour (adenoma) of the pituitary gland, revealing her illness in November of that year. Following the heartbreaking news of her passing, campmate Darren tweeted: "I'm so sad to hear that Tara Palmer-Tomkinson has passed away. Thoughts and love to her family RIP Tara."
Freddie Starr
Comedian Freddie Starr appeared in the 2011 series of I'm A Celebrity, but withdrew from the competition due to health reasons after just two days in the jungle. Explaining his exit, he said "I was sorry to hear the news about what the doctors said - that I was allergic to something, to play it safe and best for me not to go back in."
During his short stint on the show, the star wolfed down a fermented egg telling Ant and Dec he wasn't bothered by the smell. Freddie joined Mark Wright, Corrie's Antony Cotton and athlete Fatima Whitbread on the programme and made a big impression in a such a short time. Sadly, the comedian was found dead at his home in Spain, on May 9, 2019, aged 76. A post-mortem showed that he died from coronary artery disease.
David Gest
The ex-husband of Liza Minelli, David Gest, finished fourth on I'm A Celeb in 2006. The American music producer kept his campmates rapt with his dry sensor of humour, particularly when talking abut his maid, Vaginica Seaman. “Her mother loved her body part so much, that she decided if she had a girl, she was going to call her Vaginica,†David told the bemused jungle dwellers, before confirming: “No bull.â€
The star was on the show with former newsreader Jan Leeming and EastEnders ' star Dean Gaffney, who had Ant and Dec in hysterics as he screamed during his trials. David passed away, aged 62, in 2016 after suffering a stroke while in a hotel in London.
Eric Bristow
Darts player Eric Bristow came fourth in the 2012 series of I'm A Celebrity, telling the Geordie duo: "I had a great time but I would have liked to make the last three. I would have liked to have a go at the grubs for my kids." .
During his time in the jungle, the Londoner had a bit of a bromance with Made in Chelsea's Hugo Taylor, telling his campmate: "I’m sure we’ll be dear friends for the rest of our lives."
Eric sadly died in April 2018, aged 60, after having a heart attack while attending a Premier L eague Darts event at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.
Bobby Ball
One half of comedy duo Cannon and Ball, Bobby took part in the 2005 series of I'm A Celeb. During his time in the jungle, the star sported a pink catsuit as part of an impromptu fashion show in camp. Recalling his time on the show in an interview with The Mirror in 2013, Bobby said: "I endured starvation, sickness and spider bites but I missed Yvonne (his wife) like crazy."
Bobby tragically passed away due to Covid-19 complications in October 2020 at the age of 76.
