Angry I’m A Celebrity fans have complained to Ofcom after Dame Arlene Phillips’ “shocking” comment during the show’s first episode.
The 78-year-old former Strictly Come Dancing judge is one of the new famous faces vying to be crowned queen of the castle.
During the opening episode on Sunday, many fans watching thought the choreographer’s choice of words was poor after she “confessed” she likes to clean and was “OCD about everything”.
“I cannot live with dirt,” she told viewers.
“I am completely OCD about everything in my life being organised, clean, neat and tidy.”
Those watching at home weren’t too impressed with Arlene’s flippant reference to a serious mental illness, the Mirror reports.
One person said on Twitter: “No, Arlene, you are not ‘OCD’ about cleaning. OCD is a terrifying, life-changing illness and we need people to stop throwing the term around #ImACeleb.”
Another wrote: “This is a terrible thing to hear, I certainly won’t be supporting Arlene this year.
“As a fellow sufferer this sort of thing maddens me. How dare ITV put that out on their programmes. Being clean and neat and tidy is NOT the same as having OCD.”
A third commented: “Shocked but not surprised that ITV aired what Arlene Phillips said about being OCD because she’s organised and can’t live with dirt. Do better ITV.”
And another frustrated viewer wrote: “Call yourself a mental health advocate? Well then, please take the time to complain to Ofcom about the use of the acronym ‘OCD’ on last night’s #ImACeleb.
“OCD is not a personality quirk or an adjective, it takes lives.”
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common mental health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours, according to the NHS website.
OCD can be distressing and significantly interfere with your life, but treatment can help you keep it under control.
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Arlene has never publicly spoken about being diagnosed with the condition and many I’m A Celeb viewers took issue with ITV not removing the offending comments from the pre-recorded segments.
“Not for the first time ITV have left an unhelpful and inappropriate reference to OCD in an #ImACeleb episode,” charity OCD UK wrote.
“Pre-Recorded so could easily have been edited out so not to add to misconceptions/stigma.”
“Very disappointing to hear a contestant use ‘OCD’ as an adjective because they like things clean. Even more disappointed in ITV for not editing it out,” another person added.
Former One Direction singer Niall Horan is just one famous face who has spoken open and honestly about their struggles with OCD over the years.
“I have mild obsessive-compulsive disorder, that’s what doctors call it,” the singer told German magazine Zeit Leo last year.
“That is, I feel I have to do things in a certain way.”
The star explained how he developed the disorder in his childhood, which caused him to feel extremely isolated at times.
In additional interviews, Niall has admitted his mental health condition and anxious feelings can impact his performances on stage.
*If you are struggling with mental health, you can speak to a trained advisor from Mind mental health charity on 0300 123 3393 or email info@mind.org.uk
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