Janice Dickinson, the iconic US model and former I’m A Celebrity contestant, is in the midst of a bitter legal battle with ITV after suffering severe facial injuries during filming for the pre-recorded South African series. The model, 71, was forced to quit the show after tripping in the dark while attempting to find the toilet in the middle of the night.
In a dramatic twist, I’m A Celebrity bosses have reportedly placed blame on Janice for her fall, claiming it could have been avoided had she gone to the bathroom before everyone went to bed. This claim is at the center of a heated exchange following her filing of a personal injury claim against ITV, seeking damages for the injuries she sustained.
According to court documents obtained by The Sun, ITV executives argued that Janice’s fall was the result of her decision to walk in the dark, despite prior advice to use the lavatories before bedtime. The legal filing states: “The participants were advised to use lavatories and complete activities before retiring to their beds… There was a smooth unobstructed earthen surface around the campfire and bench vicinity, and this path surface continued out to the lavatories.” The bosses also suggested Janice could have walked around the campfire benches instead of passing between them.
Janice’s legal representatives, however, argue that the fall was not simply a result of her own actions but was exacerbated by poor lighting and possibly the effects of sleep medication she had been given by ITV’s medical team. The star has alleged that the medication made her more vulnerable to falling due to drowsiness and impaired balance. Sources close to her have also claimed that the injuries resulted in permanent facial scarring, nerve damage, and deformities that cannot be corrected by surgery, having a significant impact on her modeling career.
The incident occurred during filming for the 2023 I’m A Celebrity South Africa special. Janice’s fall led to her suffering serious head and facial injuries, including cuts and abrasions across her lips, cheeks, chin, and lower face, with doctors confirming that her injuries could have permanent consequences.
In addition to the physical trauma, Janice has expressed how emotionally devastating the aftermath of the incident was. She revealed that her campmates made comments about her that left her feeling humiliated, with ex-England cricket captain Phil Tufnell’s “witch” comment being one of the most hurtful. She was reportedly shocked that such remarks made it to air, especially after she had praised Tufnell for his help when she was injured.
Despite this, Janice remains committed to the legal process, with her representatives stating that she intends to see the case through to its conclusion. Her lawyer, Dermot McNamara, commented that Janice is dedicated to unpacking ITV’s response and ensuring justice is served.
ITV, however, maintains that it followed appropriate safety protocols and provided medical care for Janice following the incident. A spokesperson for the network stated, “We don’t recognize this version of events. However, we looked after Dickinson at the time, paid her medical expenses, flew her home to LA, and the I’m A Celebrity team were in regular contact with Janice and her representatives on an ongoing basis after she returned home to America until after the programme aired seven months later.”
The fallout from this incident has sparked concerns within ITV, as it could potentially lead to other contestants filing similar lawsuits. Insiders have suggested that this could prompt future I’m A Celebrity contestants to sign legal waivers to protect the network from further liability.
In the meantime, Janice has continued to speak out about her traumatic experience. She previously stated that ITV had a “duty of care” and accused them of neglect by not properly addressing her injuries immediately after the fall. She also described the incident as “a freak accident” that left her in extreme pain and with visible, lasting scars.
As her legal battle unfolds, Janice’s representatives and ITV remain at odds, and the outcome of the case could have significant implications for the future of the show.
