I’m A Celebrity wouldn’t have been the same this year without Radio 1 DJ Jordan North ‘s warmth and charm – but he nearly quit the series completely.
The 30-year-old star confessed hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly stepped in to convince him to stay on the show, in scenes that never made it to air.
Ahead of one of his first trials, Jordan suffered a panic attack, and started struggling to breathe as his fear of snakes sent him into meltdown.
Jordan’s fear grew so intense that he “nearly walked” and quit the show, despite only being days into the competition.
Thankfully, Geordie duo and Ant and Dec were on hand to help calm him down, urging Jordan to breathe as they eased his fears.
Jordan threatened to “walk” when he suffered a panic attack before a trial (Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Speaking to The Sun on Sunday, Jordan recalled having a “complete meltdown” as he remembered thinking: “I am gonna go. I don’t need to do this.”
Dec came over to comfort him, helping to monitor the BBC radio star’s breathing as tears streamed down his face.
While Ant and Dec weren’t permitted to hug him due to social distancing regulations, Jordan told the publication: “I do think they wanted to put an arm around my shoulders.
Presenters Ant and Dec offered him the support he needed to continue in the competition (Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
“It definitely helps when you can hear them during the trial, speak to them.”
While these scenes didn’t make it to air, viewers were witness to the trial that followed, which saw Jordan and Shane Richie trapped in a tank full of snakes.
Thinking of his “happy place” throughout, Jordan was visibly upset during the challenge but managed to overcome his fears and secure 12 stars for their campmates.
Jordan was covered in snakes in the tank during the trial (Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
In the episodes that followed, Jordan bravely took on any trials he was nominated for – and even put himself forward for one in the final week of the competition.
Making it to the final two, he was beaten by podcaster Giovanna Fletcher in the finale.
Though Jordan wasn’t crowned King of the Castle, the radio presenter has cemented his status as a national treasure, with many fans looking forward to his next career move.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
