Wednesday, November 30, 2005
theSUN
By EMMA COX, in the jungle
and SARA NATHAN
I’M A Celeb bosses were panicking last night that Kimberley Davies may sue them as her horror Bushtucker Trial was branded “irresponsible”.
The Aussie beauty, 32, quit with a cracked rib yesterday just an hour after returning to the camp from hospital.
Kimberley had feared she would never walk again after she jumped 15ft from a moving helicopter to land on a target in a lake, but fell awkwardly, suffering concussion.
Last night John Beyer, of TV watchdog Mediawatch, said: “It is irresponsible of ITV to expect celebs to jump out of helicopters — it is really going too far. The whole thing is calculated to win ratings, but ITV should be banned from pulling stunts like this.”
Producers now fear that the blonde former Neighbours star may take legal action.
A TV insider said: “They are worried that if Kimberley is left in constant pain that stops her from working, she may sue the production company Granada. She may have to have physio for months.”
All the contestants are given £1million insurance before taking part in the show.
Kimberley was persuaded to return to camp yesterday, but she soon told bosses she wanted to leave — apparently furious at how she was placed in danger.
ITV last night claimed she was simply in too much pain. But a pal said: “She’d just had enough. She didn’t realise what she was letting herself in for on this show.
“She had considered walking out anyway but the accident was the last straw. She’s in pain and doesn’t feel safe any more. She’s angry. She feels she wasn’t given enough preparation for the trial and for the experience in general.”
After the stunt, the concussed mum of two did not know who she was or what she was doing.
As she was strapped on to a spinal board with a neckbrace, she asked paramedics: “Will I walk? Am I paralysed? Do you think I’ve broken my back?”.
The other celebrities are now terrified of taking part in trials.
David Dickinson said furiously yesterday: “They’re trying to make the stunts as daring as possible to add more glamour, more excitement. But we aren’t professional sports people.”
ITV bosses cut the sound, but he was heard to say: “One of my lows has been this show. It’s the worst show I’ve ever done.”
Producers later denied a cover-up, insisting it was sometimes necessary to drop the sound “due to legal reasons”.
Kimberley was last night holed up in a six-star Queensland hotel with her husband Dr Jason Harvey and her children.
The insider added: “ITV wanted her back in. They were keen to prove Kimberley is in good health because they don’t want to come in for more flak about it being their fault that she was injured.”
An ITV spokesman said her decision not to continue was “entirely understood and fully respected. We wish Kimberley well.”
