Fans have been demanding Jack Maynard return to I’m A Celebrity 2017 after his shock exit.
It was announced yesterday evening that YouTuber Jack had “withdrawn” from the ITV series, after just two days.
A spokesperson has revealed why Jack quit, explaining Jack had quit after tabloid stories about his past.
They explained: “In the last few days Jack has been the subject of a succession of media stories which, given his position as a contestant on ‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here’ – filmed in the Australian jungle, with no contact with the outside world, he has been unable to respond to.
“Since it is only fair that everyone should be aware of any allegations made against them and should also have the right to defend themselves, it was agreed that it would be better to bring him out of the show.”
They added: “Jack agrees with this decision which was made by his representatives and ITV and thanks everyone who has supported him in the show this far.”
Newspaper stories about Jack had focused on his past social media postings, with claims they contained racist and homophobic language.
Fans of the social media star have been quick to defend him.
One wrote: “I’m not saying that what Jack Maynard tweeted years ago is okay but , 1) he was 16 years old 2) the world was a different place and that sort of language wasn’t as unaccpetable it is now. Feel like this really isn’t fair on him. #ImACeleb”
Another added: “The fact that Jack Maynard got kicked off the show for tweets he put up when he was 16/17 is disgusting. Everybody is so easily offended nowadays it is ridiculous.”
And a third commented: “Removing Jack Maynard from the Jungle for tweets he posted when he was 16/17 is seriously pathetic #ImACeleb”
But others were happy there was now space in the jungle, with viewers campaigning to get Gemma Collins back again.
“Who gives a f**k about jack Maynard , get someone better in like Phillip schofield! #ImACeleb,” another tweeted.
Responding to Jack’s old messages, a representative for Jack said: “Jack is ashamed of these tweets, many were deleted a long time ago and were sent in response to a neighbour who was bullying him. Jack was a lot younger when he posted them in 2012 but realises that age is no defence.
“He would never use that language now and realises that, as someone who was bullied himself, this kind of retaliatory, inflammatory, insulting language is completely unacceptable.”
I’m A Celebrity Get me Out Of Here continues nightly on ITV at 9PM.
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