Loose Women star Charlene White turned down I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! for years before she finally joined camp.

The 43-year-old presenter appeared on the gruelling ITV reality show last year when it returned to Australia after two years filming in Wales due to the coronavirus pandemic causes chaos to television production across the globe. Reminiscing about signing up for the challenge, Charlene told Daily Star: "For five and half years I kept on saying no but actually I had the time of my life."

It comes after Charlene was more than vocal when it came to giving her opinion on ex-UKIP leader Nigel Farage joining this year's cast.. During her appearance on ITV Loose Women, Charlene, who was in the Aussie jungle with celebs including Matt Hancock and Boy George, was asked what she would do if she were in the jungle with Nigel and without hesitation she said: "I think it would be even harder and even more difficult than it was last year." And her opinion kick started a huge discussion among the panel.

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Janet Street-Porter then jumped in to say that she thought Matt had joined the show to gain public forgiveness after he was forced to resign as Health Secretary after breaching his own Covid restrictions. In a bid to halt the spread of the virus the public were encouraged to keep their distance from friends and family, which even resulted in people not being able to see loved ones in hospital. But Mr Hancock was snapped cavorting with his former aid Gina Coladangelo. Clearly dismayed at this year's line-up Judi Love added that ITV bosses need to make the reality TV show into a sitcom because its become a "mess."

Charlene White
Loose Women star Charlene White turned down I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! for years before she finally joined camp

Despite her pre-conceived ideas of Mr Hancock before heading into the jungle, Charlene and the disgraced politician hugged following his emotional admission of wanting the public's forgiveness. When asked about his affair with Gina, Hancock explained that he was not fined because he "didn't break any laws, guidance is different" and he quickly added: "The problem was it was my guidance."

Charlene White
The 43-year-old presenter appeared on the gruelling ITV reality show last year

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However, A Place In The Sun host Scarlette Douglas struggled to understand why he broke the guidelines. Hancock replied: "Because it was a mistake, because I fell in love with somebody." Speaking later in the Bush Telegraph room, Hancock said: "Lots of the campmates asked questions that the public have got as well and it's only respectful to just give completely straight and truthful answers."

Speaking of her own experience of dealing with the pandemic, Charlene said: "My aunt died from Covid in the first wave. So, we couldn't go to the hospital to go and visit her. I had to sit by myself in the church at her funeral. We couldn't hug each other because we were following guidance. And I get that you fell in love, I understand all of those things, but sorry for a lot of families like mine doesn't really cut it." Hancock responded: "Yeah. Well, there you go. That's one of the reasons that I regret it as much as I do."

I'm A Celebrity.. Get Me Out of Here! airs on ITV1 and ITVX nightly at 9pm

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