I’m A Celebrity stars held secret ceremony after shock news of Queen’s death – but it was never shown on screen
THE I’m A Celebrity… South Africa campmates held a secret ceremony to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth.
The Sun can reveal that Her Majesty died during the early stages of filming for the all stars special – the day before celebrities including Janice Dickinson, Amir Khan and Shaun Ryder entered camp.
I’m A Celeb producers broke the news to the group while they were all recording their intro VTs during quarantine.
So after their epic entry trials in the next quiet moment, the celebrities took the chance to take part in a two-minute silence in honour of the late Queen.
Describing the secret scenes – which have not made it to air – Paul Burrell, 64, told The Sun: “We couldn’t let the moment pass so all the campmates gathered together, held hands in a circle around the campfire and had two minutes silence.
“After all she was the Queen to all of us and we all felt the grief in camp.
“As the nation paid their respects, so did we in South Africa.”
The sudden news of her passing was particularly painful for Paul, who served both The Queen and Princess Diana during his 21 years with the royal family as a butler and footman.
He revealed that ITV bosses offered to pull him from the all stars special entirely.
But he decided to continue and it proved to be a blessing.
He added: “I said to them, I think by keeping me here secluded, you are doing me a favour.
“Because if I go back home, it will be a circus and I’ll be sucked into that circus and I won’t be able to contain my grief.
“By staying there, it became sort of a sanctuary for me.”
Paul is one of the celebrities in camp alongside the likes of Myleene Klass, Fatima Whitbread and Georgia Toffolo.
The special was pre recorded in September in Kruger National Park, South Africa.
I’m A Celeb South Africa on ITV1 and ITVX at 9pm weeknights