The star became the fifth contestant to leave the camp, a departure she said left her “devastated”
Ruby Wax has spoken about her time in the I’m A Celebrity jungle(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
Ruby Wax has spoken about her time in the I’m A Celebrity jungle following her departure from the show. Speaking to the Mirror, the 72-year-old, who became known during the series for her direct and humorous approach, addressed speculation around a possible romance between fellow campmates Shona McGarty and Aitch.
Wax said McGarty had privately told her the rapper was “not her type”, adding the EastEnders actress preferred “hunky, bigger men”. She also had stern words for Shona who was caught scoffing butter which had been smuggled into camp – branding her “selfish” and “entitled”.
Discussing Shona’s comments about Aitch, Ruby said: “He’s not her type at all. She said she likes hunky, bigger men so that she feels female, so he wasn’t on the list at all.”
She also pointed towards the “age difference” with Aitch aged 25, while Shona is 34.
Although Wax joked she could imagine the pair as a couple, she said neither showed any real interest in pursuing a relationship. Her comments come after viewers and presenters Ant and Dec had openly speculated about the possibility of a jungle romance.
Shona McGarty on I’m A Celebrity(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
Wax became the fifth contestant to leave the camp, a departure she said left her “devastated”. She described the moment she walked the bridge as feeling like she had been “torn from my family”.
Wax also reflected on the recent revelation that several campmates had smuggled food or personal items into the camp. She said she had been unaware of the contraband and expressed frustration about rule-breaking, particularly over McGarty keeping butter to herself.
“That’s selfish,” she said. “She started off a really shy, inhibited person, and now she’s verging on entitlement.”
Wax criticised other smuggled items, such as air freshener and salt, questioning why contestants risked penalties for items she saw as non-essential. “We have no food and somebody cares about what their body smells like,” she said. “If I’d seen it, I would have taken it away.”
Wax said she was proud to have followed the rules throughout her time in the camp.
Describing life in camp, Wax said the most difficult challenge was hunger, noting that she often struggled with the camp meals. “I was starving,” she said. “It was always appalling… it was never like chicken.”
However, she said she enjoyed her time as camp leader, adding that the role allowed her to take a step back from daily chores.
Wax also spoke warmly about the friendships she formed with fellow contestants, including Ginge, Lisa Riley, Aitch and Tom. She expressed enthusiasm about future collaborations, particularly with Ginge, and said she was surprised by how strong some of the connections became.
Speaking about Lisa Riley, she said: “Being apart from Lisa was like being ripped from the womb,” adding that their friendship had been close and candid during their time in camp.
She added: “We would say anything and do anything. I mean, I shaved Lisa. Did you see that? Do you understand, there’s no shame”