I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! fans were taken aback by how the programme handled Jamie Lynn Spears’ shocking departure.
The Zoey 101 star and Britney Spears‘ sister had spent the first five days at camp weeping and threatening to leave, but had seemed more happier in subsequent episodes after completing her first Bushtucker trial.
On Wednesday, it was revealed that the celebrity had departed I’m A Celebrity for’medical reasons,’ and watchers excitedly awaited to see if, like Grace Dent, there would be a sweet letter in explanation.
Instead, Jamie Lynn was almost non-existent throughout the programme, finally appearing towards the conclusion to protest that the crisps the campmates got as a gift ‘weren’t even in a bag.’
Then, when the rest of the campmates were relaxing in the camp, Josie appeared from the darkness with a message.
‘Celebrities, Jamie Lynn has left the camp and will not be returning.’
Danielle Harold, speaking in the Bush telegraph, said she was ‘close’ with Jamie Lynn, adding: ‘I’m going to really, really miss her.’
And Tony Bellew agreed they were ‘going to miss her… she was a lovely girl.’
The show then went to Ant McPartlin, who added, “and we wish Jamie Lynn the very best,” before revealing the other celebs who could be taking on the next Bushtucker trial, and the episode ended.
It’s a stark contrast to MasterChef’s Grace, who left days ago with a message to all her remaining campmates in which she stated that leaving was ‘one of the saddest things in my life.’
Viewers were quick to notice the very abrupt end to Jamie Lynn’s time on the series, with one Twitter (X) user writing ‘help Jamie full on disappeared she didn’t even get a proper exit.’
‘Jamie Lynn was there before the break and just gone after,’ another noted, while one complained she ‘didn’t even bother to write a goodbye message to everyone else.’
‘So Jamie Lynn just left. No goodbyes to any campmates then?,’ one wrote, with another agreeing ‘Jamie Lynn’s vs Grace’s exit was weird no? Grace wrote a speech and sounds like production were just like Jamie’s gone.’
In comparison, Grace’s exit news came with a letter to campmates which read: ‘My dear campmates, I’m so sorry to let you down. I have left the camp for medical reasons.
‘My heart is broken, I have loved and enjoyed getting to know you all. You’ve held me up and it’s been a pleasure being your friend through this experience.
‘Leaving you all at this stage will be one of the saddest things in my life. I love you all.’
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! returns to ITV at 9pm on Thursday