I faced my fears in gross I’m A Celebrity trial and know exactly why Coleen is right to be exempt

I HAVE been gunged with fish guts, dunked into a slime pool and chomped on a witchetty grub Down Under in Ant and Dec’s jungle. 

I might not be a famous face, but as a journalist who has covered the show from Australia, I’ve got firsthand experience when it comes to facing my fears on I’m A Celebrity. 

James Gourley

I faced my fears in a gross I’m A Celeb trial[/caption]

James Gourley

I took part in the Catch A Falling Star trial last year[/caption]

Getty

Here is why I think Coleen has a right to be exempt[/caption]

That’s why I can vouch for why viewers need to accept that some celebrities must be exempt from specific trials and challenges. 

I know it’s annoying when you can’t vote for a certain campmate to face a horrid task – sometimes it’s not even clear what ailment or condition might be stopping them. 

And sometimes even I have rolled my eyes when an allergy or dietary restriction prevents them doing the hated eating trials.

But as I quivered on the edge of a gangplank above a pool of slime to play Catch A Falling Star, I can tell you why I was glad ITV’s duty of care is so OTT. 

I had to grab stars out of a deluge of slime as it fell on to my head, then when I missed, I plunged into a slurry of fish guts below. 

It was terrifying to hear the slime slop down the tube above me and then again as my head went under the dark water below. 

Imagine if I’d had an ear condition, or eye infection, or couldn’t swim, or knew I was allergic to fish?

There’s got to be boundaries so celebs feel safe enough to be funny – because at it’s heart I’m A Celeb is an entertainment show. 

Celebs we love to hate, suffering? Entertaining.

People in genuine pain? Not so much. 

It comes as Coleen Rooney could be ruled out of a string of I’m A Celebrity trials due to health reasons.

The 38-year-old wife of former England striker Wayne has painful reactive arthritis, which affects the joints and is set off by stress.

It means she may be exempt from some challenges in the upcoming series.

A source said: “Execs want to keep her happy and healthy.”

Coleen said the stress of her Wagatha Christie legal case triggered a crippling bout of the condition.

Sources revealed that ITV medics will seek to ease the 38-year-old’s condition if it flares up while in the jungle.

It means the wife of ex-England striker Wayne could follow a host of former campmates who were exempt from some trials for health reasons.

A show source said: “The duty of care on I’m A Celeb is second to none and over the years the cast have been ruled out of challenges for a string of different reasons.

“Some might have seemed trivial to viewers but the health and happiness of the celebs is of execs’ utmost concern. Coleen’s reactive arthritis being triggered by stress means execs want to wrap her in cotton wool and keep her happy and healthy.”

Our source went on: “The condition is currently under control so at this stage it’s a ‘could be’ ruled out rather than a ‘will be’. But her physical health will be monitored and, if she suffers a flare-up, her ability to perform each trial will be considered on a case-by-case basis.”