Olivia Attwood reveals the REAL reason why she was forced to quit I'm A Celeb

Former Love Island star Olivia Attwood has spoken for the first time since being forced to quit this year's I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, after just 24 hours in camp.

Olivia, who flew home to England just hours after news broke of her exit, spoke to the Mail on Sunday to reveal the 'truth' behind the drama, revealing she was taken to an A&E department 30 miles away from the camp after a routine blood test showed she as dangerously anaemic.

She said: "I was so scared, I was like 'what the hell is wrong with me?' They couldn't give me an answer, they just told me that they had to get me to the hospital immediately.

"The results were really, really low when they put them into their reader and they consulted with another doctor off site. I had those bloods done in England before I left, and they were fine. I was confused and of course very, very worried."

The tests, which also she had very low sodium and potassium levels, were then completed again at the hospital, all coming back normal, leading to Olivia to believe she'd be returning to camp.

However, ITV's medical team refused to allow Olivia back after a night of meetings, with Olivia telling the publication: "I tried to keep a hold of my emotions but it started to feel like I wasn't going back, you know when you just get a feeling? It started to dawn on me that I was out for good.

"But then I was trying to rationalise it, there was nothing wrong with me so why wouldn't I be able to? I also knew how much the production team wanted me on the show. None of it was making sense. I was waiting for someone to tell me."

On receiving the bad news that she wouldn't be able to re-enter camp, Olivia said: "They said because of the results the show's medical team got from my readings, they were not happy to sign me off to come back in, even though I had the clean bill of health from the hospital. If I went back into camp, they feared my levels might drop and it could be detrimental to my health and wellbeing. They were not willing to authorise my return and therefore I wasn't insured.

"I was absolutely devastated. I'm not a crier but I started to cry, it was so emotional. I was heartbroken and gutted. I tried to keep my emotions in check and keep it in perspective, things could be so much worse.

"Then the show's staff told me everyone liked me and I was favourite to win, so that leaving felt like a punch to the gut.

"Just two days before, I jumped out of a helicopter which I loved. I did a trial which I loved. I was so happy and elated. It was an extreme high to an extreme low. I felt empty."

Olivia's interview arrives after her team revealed she would be revealing the true in due course. On Monday 7th November, they posted on her Instagram Stories, writing: 'To say Olivia is heartbroken would be an understatement, she dreamed of doing I'm A Celeb for years, and was absolutely loving every second of the show and throwing herself into jungle life feet first (just knew she would).

'However, for reasons beyond her control her journey has been cut short. Your support and kind words have meant the absolute world to her, now as much as it always has.

'You will hear the truth from Olivia in due course and she will be back on your screens in the New Year'.

News first broke of Olivia's shock departure on Monday (7th November) afternoon, with an ITV spokesperson saying: "As a precautionary measure Olivia needed to leave the jungle to undergo some medical checks. Unfortunately, the medical team has advised it is not safe for Olivia to return to camp as there needs to be further investigation.

"She has been absolutely brilliant and she'll be very much missed on the show.”

Check out all of the I'm A Celeb 2022 cast mates:

Despite only featuring on two episodes and being in camp for 24 hours, Olivia was certainly heavily involved in the early stages.

After jumping out of a plane alongside Chris Moyles during the launch episode, the pair were then joined by Boy George and Scarlette Douglas to take part in the first trial of the series; HMS Drown Under.

Olivia, Chris, Boy George and Scarlette gained eight out of ten stars in the trial, resulting in the camp getting mud crabs for dinner.

I'm A Celeb continues on ITV every night.

Now read:

Olivia Attwood's team say 'you will hear the truth' after I'm A Celeb exit

ITV confirm I'm A Celeb icon is leaving after 20 years

All of the rumoured celebs for I'm A Celeb All Stars

How to listen to Greatest Hits Radio:

You can listen on DAB digital radio, online at www.greatesthitsradio.co.uk, or via the Greatest Hits Radio app. You can also listen on your smart speaker by saying 'Play Greatest Hits Radio' on Alexa, or 'Play Greatest Hits Radio on tune-in' on Google Home.

• I'm A Celeb
• Olivia Attwood