ITV I’m A Celebrity viewers express concern as Craig Charles throws up during tough trial: ‘Be careful!’

Olivia Gantzer
Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:14:32 +0000

Craig Charles was left vomiting during a gruelling bushtucker trial on Thursday evening's episode of I'm A Celebrity... South Africa.

The 61-year-old former Coronation Street actor teamed up with boxer David Haye for The Retching Ball challenge, which saw the pair strapped inside a rotating sphere.

As the ball spun continuously, the duo were bombarded with questions about their fellow campmates whilst insects were hurled at them.

The relentless spinning motion ultimately overwhelmed the Red Dwarf star, who was sick on camera during the ordeal.

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Before throwing up, Charles turned to his partner and asked: "Where did it all go wrong?"

Host Ant McPartlin checked on the soap star's wellbeing, asking: "You okay, Craig?" as he attempted to compose himself.

Following a deluge of maggots being dropped on the contestants, Mr Haye exclaimed that the larvae had got into his mouth, with Mr Charles soon succumbing to nausea.

Presenter Ant quipped after witnessing the incident: "Oh I think we've had a vomit. Now Craig you've just worked out why it's called the wretching ball."

Despite his stomach troubles, the actor pressed on through additional rounds, though he was sick once more during the final segment where contestants had to name Adele tracks.

Mr Charles appeared relieved when the ordeal concluded, and the pair discovered they had managed to secure seven stars out of a possible eleven for their campmates.

The challenge saw cuddly toys ejected from the spinning apparatus as part of the trial's mechanics.

Viewers have expressed concern about Charles's participation in physically demanding trials due to his heart condition.

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The actor revealed to his campmates that he takes approximately eight tablets daily and has four stents fitted in his heart.

He explained that his arteries had become narrowed, stating: "It's the same thing that killed my brother when I was here last time. They told me this is genetic, you need to go get that looked at."

Charles disclosed that prior to receiving treatment, only 35 per cent of blood was reaching his heart, with the stents restoring full circulation.

His brother, who worked as a school teacher, suffered from the identical condition but collapsed and did not survive.

Fans took to social media during earlier trials to voice their worries, with one writing: "Craig needs to be careful of his heart with the physically demanding trials!"

Other fans responded to the hard-to-watch trial, expressing further concerns for Mr Charles.

"Poor Craig. David gave absolutely nothing to that trial. He could at have had the decency to vomit! #ImACelebrity #ImACeleb," one quipped.

Another admitted: "Feeling [sick] after watching poor Craig #imaceleb."

"Poor Craig but why tf are we seeing him vomit #imaceleb," another asked.

Someone else added: "David you didn’t get any of the stars. Craig did #ImACeleb." (sic)

Charles originally competed in the main I'm A Celebrity series back in 2014 but was forced to withdraw early following the devastating news of his brother's death.

The actor, best known for portraying Lloyd Mullaney on the ITV soap, has now returned for the South Africa spin-off edition hosted by Ant and Dec.