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I'm a Celebrity's Adele Roberts opens up over cancer battle

Photo credit: Tim P. Whitby - Getty Images
Photo credit: Tim P. Whitby - Getty Images

I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! star Adele Roberts has opened up about her ongoing battle with bowel cancer, revealing that her treatment has had an effect on her skin.

The BBC Radio 1 DJ shared the news in October 2021 that she had been diagnosed with bowel cancer and that she was due to undergo surgery to help treat it.

She has already been documenting some of her cancer treatment journey on Instagram and Adele has now shared an honest account of how chemotherapy has affected her skin, which she had already had a difficult relationship with.

Related: I'm a Celebrity's Adele Roberts returns to BBC Radio 1 after bowel cancer surgery

Sharing three photos of her bare face on Instagram, Adele wrote that she has "always been embarrassed about my skin" and has "struggled with it for most of my life".

"Everything I'm going through at the moment has taught me it's good to share. I'm not the only one," she continued. "I'm very lucky to be on this treatment but it's ravaged my skin a lot. I've shared what it's done to my hands and feet but I was too ashamed to show you my face. I've been thinking a lot recently and I've realised that it's good to share as much as I can. What if someone else is suffering too and they think they're alone. You're not."

She went on to thank her girlfriend Kate for helping her to "cover my scars with makeup" and called posting the photos "the first step to my liberation".

"The first round of my chemotherapy was a bit strong and ended up with me looking like I'd been burned," she said. "I had holes all over my face. One day I'll show you but I think what I'm sharing today is a big enough step for me. I don't want to be ashamed anymore. I'm alive and I'm lucky to be on this treatment. My skin is also healing and looking SO MUCH BETTER than the start. Plus I'm nearly there now!"

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

Related: I'm a Celebrity all-star spin-off in the works

The star also opened up on the insecurities that she faced regarding her skin during her time in the jungle, saying that she "used to get up really early to hide in the medicine hut so I could cover up my acne scars".

"I had permission to take makeup for my acne but I was too ashamed to let my camp mates see me with no makeup on," she wrote. "It even made showering and some of the tasks harder. I used to freak out if my face got wet. I feel stupid now but I just want you to know how silly I've been."

Adele received lots of support from her Instagram followers, including comments such as: "Darling, you are beautiful regardless of any skin blemishes! That doesn't alter your beauty in the slightest!" and "You're a stunner inside and out! One of my favourite people ever!!!"

I'm a Celebrity airs on ITV and ITV Hub.


If you would like more information or support about living with cancer or treatment, please click here for guidance from Macmillan Cancer Support, or click here to learn more from Stand Up to Cancer.

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