'I hammed it up a bit!' I'm A Celebrity's Iain Lee reveals he was FAKING his reactions while eating ghastly dishes during Bushtucker Trials... admitting the food didn't taste 'that bad'
Over the years, I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! has become well known for showing contestants munching on unspeakable parts of various animals.
And days after leaving the Australian jungle, Iain Lee has confessed that his reactions while chewing his way through such stomach-churning dishes as pigs' genitalia were actually exaggerated for the purposes of entertainment.
Speaking on his return to his talkRADIO show on Monday, the 44-year-old comedian told a caller: 'Can I let you into a secret? The eating trial wasn’t that bad. I was kind of hamming it up a bit. It wasn’t that bad. The tastes weren’t that bad.
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Confession: Iain Lee has admitted that he exaggerated his reactions to foods that he consumed in Bushtucker Trials during his recent stint on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
'What it was, it was the texture. The pig’s f**ny was fine – it was not a problem at all. It was tiny. The worst one was the camel’s brain. And when I think of it, I can still something rising in my chest. That was thoroughly unpleasant.'
His time in the jungle was mired in accusations from viewers that campmates Dennis Wise, Jamie Lomas, Amir Khan, and Rebekah Vardy had bullied him - and Iain addressed the ongoing debate during his return to his radio show.
After saying that he is now on 'good terms' with former footballer Dennis and actor Jamie, he revealed that he was 'disappointed' in the actions of Amir - with whom he ignited a scandal when they both secretly ate strawberries awarded to the camp.
Anticipated return: The comedian, who was seen eating pigs' genitalia on the show, made the revelation during his return to his show on talkRADIO on Monday
'I thought we were friends and then I’ve seen clips of him lying about me behind my back,' said Iain of the Bolton-born sportsman. 'Amir and I were going to go to Pakistan together. So that disappoints me.
'I’m upset with what Dennis and Jamie and Becky said about me behind my back. But I bear no grudge. There’s no beef.'
Debate about the treatment of the comedian has raged on even since the campmates have exited the Australian jungle and made their way back to their homes in the UK.
The comedian's sister recently took to Twitter to hint at behind-the scenes 'bullying' which could eventually come into the public domain.
Culinary fright: However, the star did admit that he struggled to find camel's brain palatable
Tweets: Iain's sister recently took to Twitter to hint at behind-the scenes 'bullying' which could come into the public domain
In a string of tweets on Friday, Jo Angell said watching her brother in the jungle had 'pushed her to her limits' before saying the full story of what went on would 'blow people's minds'.
She wrote: 'Trust me, it wasn't easy at times. There was a lot going on behind the scenes and as an anxious person it pushed me to my limits!
In another tweet she wrote: 'Some of us even got to see what went on (and what was said) behind the scenes. It wasn't pretty.'
Alluding to telling the 'full story, she wrote: ''I hope that one day in the not-too-distant future Iain and I can tell you the whole story. It's guaranteed to blow your mind.'
Reunion: In a string of tweets on Friday, Jo Angell said watching her brother in the jungle had 'pushed her to her limits' before saying the full story would 'blow people's minds'
She wrote: 'Trust me, it wasn't easy at times. There was a lot going on behind the scenes and as an anxious person it pushed me to my limits!'
Behind the scenes: In another tweet she wrote: 'Some of us even got to see what went on (and what was said) behind the scenes. It wasn't pretty'
Low down: Alluding to telling the 'full story, she wrote: ''I hope that one day in the not-too-distant future Iain and I can tell you the whole story. It's guaranteed to blow your mind'
Praising her brother's supporters she added: 'A positive thing to come out of this experience is that I've learned what amazing, empathetic and loyal friends, listeners and supporters my brother has.
'If you judge a man by the company he keeps (when he's not in the jungle), Iain is a very special and very fortunate man.'
During his time in the I'm A Celebrity jungle, social media users claimed he was being bullied by Amir, Rebekah, Jamie and Dennis, which was denied by all.
Iain previously insisted he wasn't bullied but after watching the Coming Out show appeared to backtrack.
Visitr: Iain was suprised when Jo visited him in the jungle on the penultimate day of camp
Praise: Praising her brother's supporters she added: 'A positive thing to come out of this experience is that I've learned what amazing, empathetic and loyal friends, listeners and supporters my brother has'
The 44-year-old DJ expressed his upset after Rebekah praised him for 'clearing up' the accusations of bullying on Friday.
She wrote: 'A big thank you to Iain Lee for clearing that up & also for the "deliciously dark" sense of humour comment Lots of love to all of the 2017 campmates. It was a pleasure to share a camp with all of you. See you all soon xx.'
But an unimpressed Iain responded: 'I hadn't seen the comments made behind my back or the ones made by some camp mates when they left.'
He added: 'I still suggest the word bullying is too strong. But.'
During the show, Vardy vehemently denied the bullying claims and sobbed as she insisted she hadn't targeted the broadcaster as part of a gang.
Denial: Iain previously insisted he wasn't bullied but after watching the Coming Out show appeared to backtrack
Betrayed: Having watched the show, Iain hinted that he was hurt by some of the comments made about him 'behind my back', after Rebekah reached out to him on Twitter
The WAG declared that she wasn't a 'ringleader' - but was slammed by fans who caught her sharing a covert handshake with Amir Khan and Dennis Wise after Iain was voted out.
The Coming Out show captured the moments after the celebrities left the Australia outback - including their reaction to fans' comments about them.
Rebekah emerged after the third vote off and the topic of Iain Lee was the first on the agenda.
Her father Carlos told her: 'You're right about lain, I know what you mean.'
Rebekah replied: 'He can cut the mood in camp in seconds. It's a shame that he feels he has to be like that, but who knows what hes going through, it's hard to speculate.
Tears: During the show, Vardy vehemently denied the bullying claims and sobbed as she insisted she hadn't targeted the broadcaster as part of a gang
Allegations: Social media users claimed that Amir Khan, Jamie Lomas and Dennis Wise were 'bullying' Iain, which was denied by all
Shrugging, she looked away and added: 'I don't care anyway.'
When a phone call to her management team revealed she'd been accused of ganging up against him, she was brought to tears in the arms of her father.
Surprised, she said: 'You know what, I was the one that was being the most supportive of him. A bully? I've never been a bully in my whole entire life.'
Calling her husband, Leicester City footballer Jamie Vardy, she had a bone to pick with him.
She swiftly congratulated her spouse on scoring his 100th goal for the club, scored against Tottenham Hotspur, and declaring: 'Stick that up your backside Spurs fans!'
But there was little time to enjoy the glory as she reprimanded him for voting her to take part in a trial.
Final three: Iain won over the public and ended up taking third place in the show
Pulling no punches, she said: 'Voting me to do The Hole you little w****r? You've no idea how bad they were! I can't wait to see our phone bill.'
Rebekah was keen to discuss Iain with Dennis Wise right away, and the claims that they had bullied him.
She said: 'I came out to the biggest s**t storm. And you know I don't get upset about things and you know I'm really strong but I actually cried in the car.
'It really upset me. Something so strong has been said about not just me. You, Jamie, Amir. That we were part of a gang.'
Dennis responded: 'I am gobsmacked with it. The reason being is because this is not the case. I'll be surprised with Iain if he doesn't clarify all of this.'
Family first: The star was buoyed by the unwavering support of his beloved sister
Amir added: 'He stated talking down at people. He built enemies. You know when you give someone a bit of power and it goes to their head?'
But Rebekah seemed unable to let it go, and later found Iain's sister Jo to defend herself.
Rushing up to Jo, she said: 'Hi we need to talk. It's completely been blown out of proportion. Honestly it's not... I was trying to help him so much.'
Smiling, his sister said: 'We will have a catch-up - cocktails.'
Not convinced, Rebekah insisted: 'It really upset me,' as she reassured: 'Don't worry about it, you were so brave.'
Not having it: Iain was quick to set the record straight upon leaving, saying: 'There was no bullying going on. Let's quash this rumour once and for all'
She later said to the camera: 'I wasn't a ringleader and I definitely wasn't a catalyst to anything that was going on with him in there.'
The WAG came under fire, however, when fans caught her shaking hands with Dennis and Amir when Iain was voted out.
After seeing that handshake between Amir Becky and dennis seriously WTF?? I'm so glad they didn't win,' one viewer wrote on Twitter.
Another added: 'That handshake between Becky, Dennis and Amir when Iain came out was so unnecessary and shows more than what they've said in their defence.'
Ears burning, in third place, Iain was quick to set the record straight upon leaving: 'There was no bullying going on. Let's quash this rumour once and for all. Bullying is a very serious thing. It's a huge word. There was no bullying whatsoever. '
He added: 'I always got on with Becky, I always thought she had a deliciously dark humour. The only argument was with Dennis and that lasted about 30 seconds before we hugged.'
Runner-up Jamie agreed: 'I don't think Iain was playing a game to be honest. He's a nice guy and we became good mates in there.
'Last night was just a really special evening with me, Iain and Toff. I think it's been completely blown out of proportion if I'm honest.'
Fan favourite: The 44-year-old star rose to fame presenting TV hit the 11 O'Clock show
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