I’m A Celeb star Olivia Attwood’s friend denies Covid protocols were the reason for her sudden exit

Olivia Attwood’s sudden exit from I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Here! wasn’t due to Covid protocols, a friend of the Love Island star has claimed.

The 31-year-old was left “heartbroken” earlier this week when she left the jungle after only 24 hours for a medical issue and was not allowed to return.

Following her exit, it was alleged that show bosses feared she could infect her fellow campmates if she went back in. Going through another week of isolation to return was deemed “impossible”.

A TV insider told the Sun: “It was felt this would be too much time to spend away from the competition and potentially place her campmates at a disadvantage to her.

“Obviously viewers at home couldn’t include her in any votes, including selecting them for different challenges during the series.

“Olivia would have been going back in almost halfway through the series, which simply wasn’t fair.

“As frustrating and upsetting as that was for Olivia, who was willing to do whatever it took to go back, she could also see it was an impossible situation.”

However, it has now been reported that Covid protocols had nothing to do with Attwood’s departure and that she’ll inform people “when she’s ready” of the reason behind her exit.

A friend of the star told MailOnline: “It was unrelated to Covid. Olivia will talk about it herself when she’s ready but right now she’s just focused on getting back home.”

In light of the reports, a show spokesperson told The Standard: “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.”

The Standard has also contacted Attwood’s representative for a comment.

Following her departure from the jungle, Attwood - who made show history by becoming the first ex-Love Islander to take part - posted a statement on her Instagram account.

It read: “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 as we knew she would).

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

The statement continued: “You will hear the truth from Olivia in due course and she will be back on your screens in the New Year.

“Ps. Who’s going to roast Hancock now?? :((”