I’m A Celeb: Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly share their disappointment over Richard Madeley o

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly admitted they were disappointed to  see Richard Madeley leave the castle camp as they hosted Thursday’s edition of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

The Good Morning Britain host, 65, left the Welsh camp after falling ill in the early hours of the morning, prompting an emergency dash to a local hospital.

In a statement Richard, who was believed to be treated at Glan Clwyd Hospital in Rhyl, reassured fans that he’s ‘fine’ after his health scare, but confirmed he had to quit the series after breaking the show’s ‘Covid bubble.’

Referring to his departure, Ant and Dec reiterated that health and safety protocols put in place since the advent of the coronavirus pandemic prevent him from returning.  

‘Well you probably heard the sad news already, Richard Madeley has left the castle,’ he told viewers. ‘Richard was taken ill in the early hours of the morning and was taken to hospital. Due to Covid reasons he was unable to rejoin the group.  

‘He’s gutted, we’re gutted, but we’ll have an interview with him on tomorrow’s night show.’ 

Unavoidable: Referring to his departure, the pair reiterated that health and safety protocols put in place since the advent of the coronavirus pandemic prevent him from returning

In a major blow to the show as one of their top signings, the broadcaster, who was paid an estimated £200,000 to star in this year’s competition, was taken ill hours after participating in a gruelling trial and complaining about the castle’s freezing temperatures.

In a statement to fans, he said: ‘Hello all! Richard here – firstly just to say that I’m absolutely FINE. I started to feel briefly unwell in the small hours of the morning and was taken to hospital as a precaution.

‘By leaving the camp, I had consequently broken the Covid ‘bubble’ and as such I’ve had to leave the castle and all the wonderful celebs that remain in the camp.

He’s out: The Good Morning Britain host, 65, left the Welsh camp after falling ill in the early hours of the morning, prompting an emergency dash to a local hospital

‘Obviously I’m gutted to be leaving so soon but the safety of all the campmates is the number one priority. I’m incredibly excited to watch their journey continue…even more so at the prospect of being somewhere a little warmer than Gwrych Castle…

‘Thank you to everyone who supported me on my brief but completely unforgettable adventure – I’ve made some great friends and honestly had the time of my life.’

An I’m A Celebrity spokesperson added: ‘Our strict Covid protocols means Richard has sadly had to leave the show as he is no longer in the bubble the celebrities form when entering the castle.

‘Gutted’: In a statement Richard, who was believed to be at Glan Clwyd Hospital in Rhyl, reassured fans that he’s ‘fine’ after his health scare

‘He has been a truly brilliant camp mate and we thank him for being part of this series.’

A source also told MailOnline: ‘Richard is devastated. He was doing his best in the trials and embracing every part of life in camp, this isn’t the way he saw his I’m A Celeb journey ending.

‘Richard going back to camp would pose as too much of a risk to the other contestants, who have isolated and formed a bubble to protect themselves from a possible Covid-19 outbreak on set.

‘Everyone on the show will miss him – he’s been a huge part of camp and it’s so disappointing he won’t be able to return.’

Gross! The broadcaster, who was paid an estimated £200,000 to star in this year’s competition, was taken ill hours after participating in a gruelling trial