I'm a Celebrity campmates say: "Get me clean water and decent toilets!"

5 min read
Harry Redknapp winning I'm a Celebrity
Image: Jungle King Harry Redknapp admits being in the jungle was tough, he missed his wife Sandra.

It's that time of year again when we gather round to watch a host of famous faces survive a plethora of challenges in the jungle.

Campmates on 'I'm a Celebrity: Get Me Out of Here' must collect and purify their own water, and use a long drop toilet which they have to empty. 

For many of the campmates, this made them realise how much we take for granted. For millions of people around the world, a lack of access to clean water and decent toilets is a daily reality.

This is why former campmates have come together to support our Access Denied campaign. They reveal what they missed the most in the jungle and why it's so important to help bring clean water and decent toilets to those who have their access denied. Here's what they said:

 

Harry Redknapp

"Life in the jungle was certainly no walk in the park. I missed my wife Sandra and craved a decent jam roly-poly when all I could get was food like crocodile’s tail, and even then, I had to earn that pleasure. But my jungle hell was over in three weeks, and then I was able to return to my family and home comforts.  
 
“Millions of people around the world are still waiting for basics such as clean water and decent toilets – things we take for granted. I’m supporting WaterAid as I believe no one should have their access denied to these necessities."

 

 Vicky Pattison

Vicky Pattinson
TV personality and Jungle Queen Vicky Pattison

“In the jungle I really missed my mum. Whatever I’m going through, wherever I am, she’s usually just a phone call away. She’s my biggest cheerleader and has given me the best opportunities in life! Having been in the jungle twice, I found there was a lot of time to think about what is important in life, and to really appreciate what we have.”   

 

Joe Pasquale 

Jungle King and Comedian Joe Pasquale
Jungle King and Comedian Joe Pasquale

“The thing I missed most was a proper toilet...one with a door and with water that flushed, rather than just a hole in a lump of wood that gave me splinters in my little bum!” 

 

Shappi Khorsandi

Shappi Khorsandi
Comedian Shappi Khorsandi

“In the jungle you couldn’t keep properly clean and fresh. I was on my period, so I felt particularly horrible not being able to have a proper shower – it was so public in there. I’m usually fastidious about cleanliness so constantly feeling a bit icky impacted on my mood and ability to enjoy myself. The minute I got out, I poured myself a lovely hot bubble bath!”  

 

Christopher Biggins 

Christopher Biggins
Jungle King, actor and television presenter Christopher Biggins

“Life in the jungle was tough. The hardest challenge for me was surviving the utter boredom. Especially when there is nothing to eat – for days – that's when you really think you’re going to go bananas! 

“But, as difficult as it was, it was only for a short while. It is humbling to think there are literally millions of people across the globe living without basic amenities like clean water and a proper toilet, exposing them to deadly diseases. I am proud to support WaterAid’s Access Denied appeal, which will help transform thousands of lives this winter”. 

 

Nell McAndrew

Nell McAndrew
Model and athlete, Nell McAndrew

"I missed the people who are closest to me, family and friends. People who I could just be relaxed around and genuinely care about.

"As I was one of the first people to go in the jungle, I had no idea what to expect. I missed space, freedom to go for a run. I am not used to sitting around for so long. We had no idea what time it was so the days seemed so long!

"I thought that sleeping outside would be awful and that I would never sleep but it was actually really nice.

"Going to the toilet in the middle of the night bothered me.

"Being in the jungle definitely made me think of all the things that we can all take for granted. To have access to clean water is essential. It’s heart-breaking to think that so many people don’t have access to drinking water and basic sanitation."

 

Carl Fogarty

Carl Fogarty
Jungle King and World Superbike racer, Carl Forgarty

“Apart from my family and friends, I really missed a good cup of tea the most. It got to the point that after breakfast of rice and beans I would pretend to brew up and pour hot water into everyone’s mug and tell them to enjoy their cuppa. It was actually better to drink the hot water than the warm water at air temperature. Warm water tastes horrible. The best thing about being selected for a challenge was that there were cold bottles of mineral water available.

"The water from the barrel didn’t look to dirty but we were still advised to boil it, even for brushing our teeth. It certainly made me realise that we often take having safe, clean water available for granted.”

 

For up to three weeks, ‘I’m a Celebrity’ stars get a small taste of what it is like to live with their access denied to basic amenities like clean, running water from a tap and a nice toilet. 

But across the world this is the everyday reality for millions of men, women and children who are denied access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene, simply because of who they are, how much money they have, or where they live. 

This causes diseases that claim the lives of 800 children every single day.  

Find out more about how our Access Denied campaign aims to help change this. >
 

We are very grateful to all our celebrity supporters who gave their time to raise awareness of this issue.