Spencer Matthews has claimed he told I’m A Celebrity bosses that he was taking steroids before he entered the Jungle – only for producers to kick him off the show three days later.
In 2015 Spencer’s career and reputation suffered a damaging setback when he was medically withdrawn from the biggest reality TV show on British television as a result of his ‘secret steroid addiction’.
At the time, the Made In Chelsea star, 35, claimed ‘ITV did what they had to do and I ended up on a plane’, yet now he has revealed the full story, claiming the decision ‘made no sense’ and he was left alone ‘crying his eyes out’ for eight hours while show bosses decided his fate.
Speaking on The Mail’s Everything I Know About Me podcast he revealed that to this day he hates being referred to as a contestant on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! ‘because I wasn’t really. Like I wasn’t able to.’
Spencer shared: ‘I was looking forward to that so much right and I wanted it so badly because it is bang up my street. Being in that Jungle, I wouldn’t have cared about any of the challenges, I would have absolutely loved it and would have been able to play a really good role.’
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Spencer Matthews has claimed he told I’m A Celebrity bosses that he was taking steroids before he entered the Jungle – only for producers to kick him off the show three days later
In 2015 Spencer’s reputation suffered a damaging setback when he was medically withdrawn from the biggest reality TV show on British TV as a result of his ‘secret steroid addiction’
Yet he admitted that he was ‘young and impressionable’ when he signed up and had organised a boxing fight at his gym to compete in upon his return.
In preparation, he began taking Anvar to bulk up – a type of anabolic steroid that can cause reduced sperm count, infertility, hair loss and stomach pain.
In the UK anabolic steroids are class C drugs, which can only be issued by pharmacists with a prescription. They are illegal in Australia unless prescribed by your doctor.
Anabolic steroids are addictive and can lead to withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking it.
These symptoms can include: depression and apathy; feelings of anxiety; difficulty concentrating; insomnia; anorexia; decreased sex drive; extreme tiredness (fatigue); headaches and muscle and joint pain.
Spencer has claimed that I’m A Celeb bosses were aware he was taking the steroids, saying: ‘I declared that I had this Anavar they said it was fine to take. They gave it to me in the jungle, having declared it.
On the second or third day they pulled me to one side and they said “Anavar you can’t travel – you brought illegal drugs essentially into the country – we didn’t realize that Anavar was illegal.”
‘I said: “Cool, let’s throw it in the bin.” And they said: “No, pulling you off these drugs could cause withdrawal. And we wouldn’t know how you’d react. So we’re gonna have to pull you from the show.”‘
Spencer revealed he pleaded with producers not to pull him from the show, insisting he felt fine and begging them only to withdraw him if he started showing concerning symptoms.
Yet his pleas fell on deaf ears, as Spencer recalled: ‘All of a sudden, I’ve been pulled out haven’t had the chance to explain anything to anyone.
‘They were saying “you’ve put the whole show at risk by bringing these pills into Australia” And I was like “but they’re here, you’re holding them, there is no issue. Nobody knows that they’re here. So just throw them in the bin.”‘
Spencer was then isolated in a room for eight hours with no contact with anyone while producers decided what to do.
He recalled: ‘I was just crying my eyes out, completely deflated, knowing that all the time that passed, they wouldn’t really be able to put me back in because I’ve not been in there. It’s cheating, essentially.’
MailOnline has contacted ITV for comment.
At the time, the Made In Chelsea star, 35, claimed ‘ ITV did what they had to do and I ended up on a plane’, yet now he has revealed the full story (pictured with Ferne McCann and Vicky Pattison)
THE DANGERS OF STEROID ABUSE
Anabolic steroids are powerful, manufactured drugs that mimic the effects of the testosterone.
Such medicines are prescription-only, given to stimulate muscle growth following surgery and to treat some kinds of anaemia.
Men with low testosterone levels can also get them drugs, which can come as pills, injections, gels and patches.
Yet, thousands across the world take the drugs without medical advice in pursuit of Hollywood-like muscles or as performance enhancers.
Doctors warn, however, the drugs — classed as a Class C in Britain and a schedule III in the US — are addictive and have a catalogue of serious side-effects.
Side effects can include reduced sperm count, infertility, shrunken testicles, erectile dysfunction, hair loss, breast development, severe acne and stomach pain.
Fears: Dolph Lundgren has questioned whether his past steroid use contributed to his lung cancer diagnosis (pictured working out in 1987)
Having too much testosterone in the body can lead to increased aggression, dubbed ‘roid rage’, insomnia and anxiety.
Studies have also linked steroids to an increased risk of prostate cancer.
Anabolic steroids are different to corticosteroids, another type of steroid drug that’s more commonly prescribed.
When doctors prescribe steroids, they always advise coming off slowly by gradually reducing the dose. Sudden withdrawal can trigger symptoms including depression, insomnia and headaches.
At the time, Spencer issued a statement that read: ‘Why did I leave I’m a Celebrity after just three days? The simple answer is that I screwed up, and have some explaining to do.
‘Shortly after I arrived in Australia I told the production team that I was taking a steroid-based medication that had begun some weeks ago.
‘When I started taking this programme of pills it was in preparation for a charity boxing match which, ironically, never took place.’
Revealing the reason behind his drug-taking, he said: ‘Vanity, I suppose, had been the reason for wanting to bulk up a bit for the fight. I had intended to come off the pills gradually, but there was no time to do this before I reached the jungle.
‘My admission to the production team that I was still taking these pills led to the conclusion that it would be unsafe for me to stay in the jungle – a decision which I found extremely hard to stomach.’
‘I pushed back but ultimately the show’s duty of care prevailed and bags had to be packed.
‘Taking these pills was a serious error of judgment, which I hugely regret. I have disappointed my family, friends and fans and would like to apologise.
Signing off his lengthy statement, Spencer praised ITV and expressed his hopes of returning to the show in a future season.
‘I would like to thank ITV for the opportunity and their support, they’re a class act. I loved every minute of being in the jungle and wish the remaining contestants the best of luck. Hoping for another shot at it someday,’ he enthused.
Having struggled to find work in the aftermath of his steroids scandal, Spencer returned to Made In Chelsea where he developed an unhealthy relationship with alcohol (pictured with co-star Jamie Laing in 2013)
After the news broke, Spencer revealed he felt ‘filthy’ seeing headlines that he was ‘addicted to or abusing steroids.’
He shared: ‘I really regret taking those pills because they made very little difference to my life or my mood or even at the end of the day my physique.
‘I’m really sorry if it kind of bothered anyone but the level of animosity that was felt towards me for that was enormous.
‘I think it’s because the show is so huge and so successful and has so many millions of viewers. But I was “filthy”.
READ MORE: The secret to Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews’ incredible physiques REVEALED
‘I was a huge drug addict in the eyes of the public and somebody who had to remove themselves from the jungle because he didn’t have his pills. It’s just rubbish. That never happened that was just absolute, categoric b******s.
‘And I felt like I’d ruined the biggest opportunity that I’d ever had.’
Spencer continued: ‘I was really furious. I was deeply sad and the most misunderstood I’ve ever felt. It was the worst thing that’s ever happened in my professional career.’
Nine years on from his ill-fated trip to Australia, Spencer has revealed he tries not to let the public’s perception of him have too much of an impact.
He explained: ‘It’s easy when you feel momentum in TV and entertainment, to get a little bit carried away with yourself.
‘Whether you show it or not, or whether it affects your personality or character negatively is something completely separate.’
Having struggled to find work in the aftermath of his steroids scandal, Spencer returned to the familiar.
He mused: ‘It took it took a couple of years to cool off from the events in Australia then I went back to Made in Chelsea.
‘Which by the way is something I wouldn’t necessarily have done had I done well in the jungle. But given that nobody else was hiring after Australia, it was a tail between the legs moment.’
It was after this that he landed The Jump, met his wife Vogue Williams and turned his life around.
The couple are known for their dedication to health and fitness, especially Spencer who had an unhealthy relationship with alcohol during his time on Made and Chelsea.
Back in January the star shared a before and after photo, as he showcased his chiselled abs while at the gum, compared to another shirtless photo from several years ago when he was filming the E4 reality show.
In the caption, Spencer said that he had been ‘lazy’ back then and was suffering from ‘a serious drinking problem’ and was unfit.
After his Made In Chelsea return, Spencer appeared on The Jump, where he met his wife Vogue Williams (pictured)
Not afraid to push his limits, last June Spencer finished in third place in The Jungle Ultra marathon after a strenuous five-day trek through the Amazon Rainforest.
Vogue also always makes time to train and frequently shares her workouts with her followers to help them target specific areas.
For confidential advice on drink and drugs problems call FRANK on 0300 123 6600. It also has details of the support available to both adults and young people on its website talktofrank.com/help.
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