I'm a Celeb star reveals she was 'really ill' on ITV show - 'My body was succumbing to cancer'
Radio presenter Adele Roberts has revealed she was "really ill" while starring on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! as she believes her body was already "succumbing to bowel cancer."
The 45-year-old took part in the show in 2019 and was diagnosed with cancer two years later. But the star says she noticed symptoms while in the jungle, including battling with fatigue and feeling cold.
The star, who has been open about feeling lucky to be alive, says her partner Kate was so concerned watching at home that she pleaded with show producers to check on her. In an interview with The Times, Adele said: "Looking back now, I was really, really ill. My body was succumbing to the cancer."
The former Big Brother star was the first to be eliminated from her jungle season, which went on to be won by EastEnders actress Jacqueline Jossa.
In October 2021, when she received the stage two diagnosis, Adele was told that her cancer had been growing for a decade. Her symptoms included bloating, lack of appetite, and lethargy.
Adele went on to have colostomy surgery to remove a bowel tumour and had a stoma bag fitted. The star, who has documented every step of her journey on social media, received chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.
Nine months after being diagnosed she was given the all-clear, but has been left with her ileostomy bag that she called ‘Audrey.’
Adele rose to fame on Big Brother ’s 2002 series before moving into radio, having presented on Capital, Hits Radio and BBC Radio 1. Just a year before her cancer diagnosis, she made radio history as the first Black woman to host the Radio 1 Breakfast show, filling in for Greg James.
Adele took part on Dancing On Ice just 18 months after completing stage two chemotherapy, making history as the first contestant with a stoma bag to take part in Dancing on Ice. The star said she was motivated to take part to raise awareness of living with a stoma and bag. The former Radio One DJ finished in third place during the recent series of the BBC skating competition.
She said: "I wouldn't have done Dancing On Ice without a stoma. I'm not a dancer. I'm not a performer."
She added: "I don't do make-up and pretty things. To have an ostomy, show what's possible, help kids, open the conversation, lessen the stigma."
