Julie Goodyear once turned down the chance to do ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’ because she couldn’t manage the 24-hour flight without puffing on a cigarette.
The former ‘Coronation Street’ star was approached by bosses of the reality TV show a few years back but, although she would’ve loved to have taken part in the gruelling challenges and set up home in the jungle for three weeks, she had to refuse the offer because the long-haul flight to Australia would’ve prevented her from smoking.
Former ‘I’m A Celebrity…’ producer Lisa Mary London made the revelation in her new book called ‘Reality Rehab’ and, according to the Daily Star newspaper, she said: "Soap legend Julie Goodyear frustrated me when she rang in person to say she’d love to do the show if we could get her to Australia by boat. A 23-hour flight without frequent cigarette breaks was out of the question for the chain-smoking soap diva."
The 75-year-old soap legend is certainly no stranger to reality TV as she took part in ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ in 2012 but her fellow housemates couldn’t believe how many cigarettes she puffed on a day – leading to her being nicknamed ‘The Chimney Pot’.
‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’ will return to screens next month for another instalment Down Under and, although the line up hasn’t been confirmed, it’s believed tennis legend Boris Becker has signed up to the new series, as well as Gemma Collins following her failed stint, which saw her leave after 72 hours, in 2014.
However, filming for the promotional advert is currently behind schedule as Ant McPartlin – who presents the show with Declan Donnelly – continues his recovery.
A source said: "It would have been the first day filming but with Ant away, there is no way they could get started."
The 41-year-old star spent two months in rehab for painkiller addiction earlier this year but is said to be making good progress and will be ready to host the show.
Julie Goodyear turned down jungle for smoking addiction
