
Vernon Kay has revealed that he and companion Shane Richie broke an important I’m A Celebrity regulation by sneaking in some illegal substances.
The EastEnders star, 58, and the TV presenter, 48, both appeared in the 2020 version of the ITV juggernaut series, which was shot in a Welsh castle because to the coronavirus outbreak.
Giovanna Fletcher, 37, was crowned Queen of the Jungle on the show, with Vernon and Shane finishing third and fourth, respectively.
On Wednesday’s episode of Nick Grimshaw’s and chef Angela Harnett’s podcast, Dish, the former T4 host reflected on his time on the show, which was presented by Ant and Dec.
Vernon described his experience as “bonkers” and “crazy,” but he ultimately had the “greatest time” since he was able to “completely turn off,” enjoy the Welsh countryside, and “do nothing for five weeks.”
However, the former Radio 1 host also revealed that he and Shane managed to sneak in a burner phone that the I’m A Celebrity producers missed.

Vernon explained: ‘I knew Shane Richie was doing it. I said to him beforehand, “Look they’re gonna take all our stuff off us, your laptop, your phone, take a burner and then we can keep in touch.”
‘So we both had these manky burner phones. It was like The Wire. We kind of kept in communication up to the very last day, which was quite a revelation.’
Vernon, who has two kids with wife Tess Daly, Phoebe, 18, and Amber, 13, said he wanted to stay in touch with his family while he was on the show.

He continued: ‘Having five days of no communication. I need to speak to the kids. I need to speak to Tess and make sure everything’s alright.
‘And not only me but to make sure they’re prepared for what’s going to happen because it’s a big thing being in I’m A Celebrity.’
I’m a Famous Person Vernon has appeared on reality television before, most recently as Koala in a crossover edition of The Masked Singer and I’m A Celebrity.
The former Family Fortunes vocalist won the competition after impressing judges Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, and Rita Ora, as well as the studio audience, with his renditions of Take That’s Could It Be Magic and Elvis Presley’s If I Can Dream.
‘Who knew you couldn’t sing,’ enthused Jonathan at the time.