Attwood was said to be “heartbroken” over having to leave I’m A Celebrity.
Matt Hancock and Seann Walsh could reportedly enter the I’m A Celebrity jungle earlier after the sudden exit of Olivia Attwood.
The former Love Island star was forced to quit the show after just 24 hours on medical grounds.
The 31-year-old was said to be “heartbroken” and had begged show bosses to allow her to rejoin her campmates.
The Sun has since suggested the former health secretary for the UK, Hancock, and comedian, Walsh, could join the show earlier to make up for the reality star’s departure.
Attwood’s exit began when she suddenly felt ill on Sunday night.
The reality star – who has opened up in the past about her ADHD, panic attacks and crippling anxiety – was checked over by medics, after which producers then deemed it unsafe for her to continue.
The Sun reported that Attwood begged to be allowed to rejoin her campmates but was left with no choice but to fly home.
A source told the outlet: “Everyone is just so sad for Olivia.”
Co-host Dec Donnelly said: “As you might have heard, unfortunately Olivia Attwood has left the jungle for medical reasons and sadly won’t be returning.”
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The Sun suggested Attwood should be able to keep her appearance fee, which is said to be between £100,000 and £125,000, as it was not her decision to leave.
The show source told the outlet: “The health and safety team is second to none and they immediately checked Olivia over, but because the situation needed further investigation they had to call time on her I’m A Celebrity journey.
“She was absolutely gutted. This was a long time coming for Olivia and she was ecstatic to be cast. She begged the team to be allowed back in but ITV just couldn’t take the risk.
“So after a sleep, she was on the next flight home.”
ITV said Attwood would not be replaced by a stand-in celebrity, but it is expected that late arrivals, Walsh and Hancock, could be fast-tracked into the jungle.
Before her sudden illness, Attwood took part in a group challenge called HMS Drown Under where she rummaged in “hell holes” with critters inside – including bearded dragons and a carpet python – to find stars.
The source continued: “It was initially thought Olivia might have injured herself taking part in the task but she didn’t quit as a result of an injury.”
Meanwhile, a TV insider confirmed: “Olivia just felt ill.”
Attwood’s team released a statement on Instagram, saying: “To say Olivia is heartbroken would be an understatement. You will hear the truth from Olivia in due course.”
Along with a sad face emoji, the note ended: “PS. Who’s going to roast Matt Hancock now??”
