Claire Richards claims she was told she was ‘too thin’ for I’m A Celebrity

Steps star Claire Richards has claimed she was turned away from I’m A Celebrity for being ‘too thin’.

The singer has alleged that she met with show bosses a “long time ago” but her weight was apparently an issue.

After losing a reported six stone, Claire says her slimmer frame worked against her when it came to entering the jungle.

She told the Official Charts podcast Take The Hit (via The Sun): “I went for a meeting (with I’m A Celebrity) once a long, long time ago.

“But it was a time when I’d just lost quite a lot of weight but they didn’t realise that I had.

“They wanted me to be fat apparently, that was the excuse I got back, that I was too thin.

“I’m glad because I watch it on TV now and I love it, but I know I wouldn’t last two seconds.”

A spokesperson for ITV insisted: “I’m A Celebrity would never cast campmates based on their shape or size – all celebrities are assessed for their suitability to life in the jungle.”

The new series of I’m A Celebrity will be back on TV in the autumn, with some potential contestant names already rumoured.

They include ex-England footballer John Barnes, Love Island’s Olivia Attwood and The Saturday’s Frankie Bridge, who previously watched on as her husband Wayne previously took part in 2016.

Meanwhile, Ant recently confirmed he will be back to host the show with Dec in 2019 after Holly stepped in for him last year.

Describing Holly’s appearance as a definite “one-off”, Ant said: “I was thankful that it was her because she was looking after my mate out there and looking after the show.

“And she doesn’t need the work — she can’t get off the telly!”

I’m A Celebrity airs on ITV and typically launches in November.