First contestant to leave I’m A Celebrity feeling ‘combination of emotions’
By Casey Cooper-Fiske, Press Association Senior Entertainment Reporter
Comedian Seann Walsh has said he is feeling a “combination of emotions” after becoming the first contestant to leave this year’s series of I’m A Celebrity… South Africa.
Walsh, 40, who is known for appearances on comedy shows such as Live At The Apollo, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Mock The Week, left the all-star edition of the ITV reality show after being picked to leave by former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp.
Redknapp, 79, was given the ordeal of choosing who had to leave the show after losing a Bushtucker Trial eating challenge.
After leaving camp, Walsh said: “It’s a combination of emotions. I was thrilled to be able to see my family because I missed my kids a lot. At the same time, I’m sad they won’t see me in the jungle for longer or doing more trials.”
He went on to say he was “basically packing my bags” when he found out Redknapp was choosing who to boot off the show, adding he “knew it was going to be me”.
Walsh, who previously appeared on the show’s standard edition in 2022 finishing fifth, said of his second time in camp: “The trials were harder and scarier. It felt like it was turned up to 11, so that just put more anxiety into the camp.
“The pleasure for me doing the jungle was the extraordinary people you get to live with. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that.
“It felt strange for me being in their presence, because they are almost historic figures in entertainment and sport. That doesn’t go over the top of my head.
“I preferred coming fifth last time. Doing I’m A Celebrity… the first time, my missus said to me, ‘you’ve got to do this, life’s an adventure, you’ll be able to tell the kids’.
“Most people don’t get to do that with their lives, it’s an extraordinary thing. For it to come around a second time is unbelievable. I’ll cherish both my times in the jungle.”
The London-born star, who was a contestant on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2018 where he was paired with professional dancer Katya Jones, went on to say that he had learned to spend “less time on my phone” during his return to the show.
In this year’s series of I’m A Celebrity… South Africa Walsh was joined by the likes of former boxer David Haye, Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts and reality TV star Gemma Collins.
I’m A Celebrity… South Africa will return on Friday at 9pm on ITV, ITVX, STV and STV Player.
