During an emotional chat on Lorraine this morning (December 5), GK Barry’s best friend expressed his ‘worry’ about the I’m A Celebrity contestant.
Joe Baggs, known for his influencer work and appearances on Gogglebox, joined Lorraine on the sofa to discuss how his pal Grace Keeling, better known as GK, is faring on the popular reality series.
Joe shared that while he was proud of his friend, he had some reservations about a looming trial. Long-time fans of the ITV reality show will know that one of the final hurdles for the last contestants standing is an eating trial, which Joe admitted could be a major problem for GK due to her ‘hidden’ phobia that fans have yet to see.
Lorraine probed Joe, asking: “Has she [GK] done an eating trial yet? She hasn’t has she?”
This question led Joe to disclose GK’s emetophobia, her fear of vomiting or hearing others vomit, which she hasn’t yet discussed on I’m A Celebrity. “Not yet, but she is emetophobic so I am worried,” Joe explained. “That means she is scared of being sick or the sound of sick and we have all learned that the hard way over the last couple of years with her.”
Lorraine responded with concern, noting: “That’s not great for somebody doing an eating trial because people do retch,” reports the Express.
Joe admitted his conflict, saying: “I don’t want her to do it, but if it helps her win… then.”
According to the NHS website, emetophobia is “characterised by a marked fear or anxiety of oneself vomiting or seeing others vomit. It can be associated with a fear of losing control or being unable to escape from a place or situation.”
Emetophobia affects an estimated 8 per cent of people, with a higher prevalence among women than men. The NHS notes that this fear typically starts in one’s early years.
N-Dubz frontwoman Tulisa Contostavlos, aged 36, and Reverend Richard Coles, 62, were the latest stars to tackle an eating challenge in this latest series, called ‘Jungle TV Dinners’. The duo braved a menu including huntsmen spiders and eyeballs, with Richard likening one dish to ‘a volcano of death’.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! continues tonight at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX