Spencer Matthews forced to leave I'm a Celebrity as he was taking steroids

Made in Chelsea star was taking ‘steroid-based medication’ to bulk up

Spencer Matthews (Getty Images )

Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews has revealed he had to quit I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! because he was taking "steroid-based medication" to bulk up for a charity boxing match.

The reality television star said he regretted taking the pills, saying it was a "serious error of judgment" which led to producers saying it was unsafe for him to take part.

Matthews, 26, a late entrant to the Australia-based show, did not even make it into the main camp, with ITV saying he departed "on medical grounds" on Friday.

In a statement today the 26-year-old said admitted he had "screwed up", saying: "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.

"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."

Additional reporting by PA