I’m A Celebrity’s Jordan North reveals he nearly QUIT the show over Viper Vault trial

Jordan North has revealed he nearly quit I’m A Celebrity when he suffered a panic attack before the Viper Vault trial.

The radio DJ, 30, spoke candidly about his secret meltdown in a new interview on Sunday following his three-week stint on the show, and also hit out at accusations that he faked his fears. 

During his time on the reality show Jordan was nominated for four of the first five trials, but almost walked when he found out he was going to be tied down in a coffin and covered in snakes in the terrifying task alongside EastEnders star Shane Richie.

Get me outta here! I’m A Celebrity’s Jordan North revealed on Sunday he nearly QUIT the show after having a panic attack before the Viper Vault trial (pictured)

Jordan, who came runner-up to Queen of the Castle Giovanna Fletcher, told The Sun On Sunday that he was so scared he walked off set and delayed the trial. 

Of the ordeal, he said: ‘I’ve not talked about this to anyone, I just had a complete meltdown. And I know what people mean now by sheer panic. 

‘I just said, “I cannot do this. And I’m not going to do this. And in fact, I am gonna go. I don’t need to do this”.’

Explaining that he struggled to breathe and was crying before the trial, he added: ‘I nearly said, “I’m just not going to do the trial”. I nearly walked.’  

Frightened: Jordan said he almost walked when he found out he was going to be tied down in a coffin and covered in snakes in the terrifying task alongside EastEnders star Shane Richie

Frightened: Jordan said he almost walked when he found out he was going to be tied down in a coffin and covered in snakes in the terrifying task alongside EastEnders star Shane Richie 

Ordeal: Explaining that he struggled to breathe and was crying before the trial, he added: 'I nearly said, "I'm just not going to do the trial". I nearly walked'

Ordeal: Explaining that he struggled to breathe and was crying before the trial, he added: ‘I nearly said, “I’m just not going to do the trial”. I nearly walked’

Jordan said it was thanks to co-presenter Declan Donnelly that he was able to calm down, as the host urged him to breathe.  

He went on to complete the trial, winning nine stars with co-star Shane, but said he originally intended to shout I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! after two minutes had passed so he could tell the camp that he’d at least ‘tried’. 

Jordan got through the trial by repeating the words ‘Happy place, happy place, Turf Moor’ as he referred to his favourite football club Burnley FC’s ground. 

In the final Jordan was once again forced to face his fear as he was locked in an Iron Maiden cage with 50 snakes crawling over him. 

Helping hand: Jordan said it was thanks to co-presenter Declan Donnelly that he was able to calm down, as the host urged him to breathe.

Helping hand: Jordan said it was thanks to co-presenter Declan Donnelly that he was able to calm down, as the host urged him to breathe.

During his exit interview on Friday, Jordan said he nearly talked himself out of appearing on the show and thought ‘maybe next year’.  

He was voted for many of the early trials after he threw up before abseiling a cliff on the first day of shooting.

The radio host has also hit back at accusations that he faked his fears, as he claimed it was obvious to viewers he was sweating and terrified of the creatures.

Conquering fears: In the final Jordan was once again forced to face his fear as he was locked in an Iron Maiden cage with 50 snakes crawling over him

Conquering fears: In the final Jordan was once again forced to face his fear as he was locked in an Iron Maiden cage with 50 snakes crawling over him

He also said it was impossible to fake being sick, and said he never played up to the cameras for the sake of entertainment.  

Jordan revealed his initial plan when he signed up for the show was to keep his head down and ‘only do a couple of trials’, which he found impossible after he was sick on the top of the cliff. 

Speaking after the show on Friday, the radio DJ explained how he couldn’t believe how far he had come in tackling all his fears and taking on several tricky challenges.

Runner-up: Jordan went on to be runner-up of the popular ITV show, with Vernon Kay (right), 46, coming in third and Giovanna Fletcher (centre), 35, being crowned Queen of the Castle

Runner-up: Jordan went on to be runner-up of the popular ITV show, with Vernon Kay (right), 46, coming in third and Giovanna Fletcher (centre), 35, being crowned Queen of the Castle

Looking back on his time on the show after watching a montage of highlights, he said: ‘I can’t believe that from where I started to getting to know you, totally forgot… I stripped off my boxers [in the shower with Shane]!’ 

Jordan continued: ‘Stupidly I thought I could get away with doing trials and at best come out midway, and then I spewed on a cliff… I thought any thing with snakes, heights, or tight spaces I couldn’t do but I did!’  

Realising he’s managed to conquer lots of fears in the past thee weeks, Jordan said: ‘That’s a lot to take in. I didn’t realise looking back on that how much I did.’

Struggle: Jordan was voted for four of five of the first trials after he threw up before abseiling a cliff on the first day, and he hit out those accusing him of faking it

Struggle: Jordan was voted for four of five of the first trials after he threw up before abseiling a cliff on the first day, and he hit out those accusing him of faking it

‘I said after that [doing some trials] my confidence grew massively and I felt I could take on whatever was coming next, that was awful waiting around to go in.  

‘These trials are horrible, they aren’t as easy as they look on TV! They are awful.

‘I remember my brother saying it to me “when you’re cold, when you’re wet, when you’re tired, then go to your happy place”. I think it’s something from the army but I’m not sure… that is my happy place when I’m… with my uncle and brothers.’      

Disgusting: Jordan (pictured) also had to do an eating challenge called Frights Of The Round Table with Vernon and Beverley Callard, 63

Disgusting: Jordan (pictured) also had to do an eating challenge called Frights Of The Round Table with Vernon and Beverley Callard, 63