I'm A Celeb Fans Disappointed By Arlene Phillips' One Liner

I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here viewers were left disappointed after Arlene Phillips made a comment about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Watch the video below:

The former Strictly Come Dancing judge and choreographer was on her way to the Welsh castle in the first episode on Sunday when she mentioned how she was going to find it difficult to be in the grim conditions.

"I cannot live with dirt," she said in the pre-recorded segment, showing the theatre star being driven to the castle. "I am completely OCD about everything in my life being organised, clean, neat and tidy."

Though to some viewers it may seem like a harmless throwaway comment, some people on social media called out the issue with using the OCD label and why it's a sensitive topic for people with OCD.

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"Very disappointing to hear a contestant use ‘OCD’ as an adjective because they like things clean," one viewer wrote on Twitter. "Even more disappointed in ITV for not editing it out."

Another viewer said: "Someone really needs to teach Arlene Phillips what OCD is. It’s a serious condition which shouldn’t be branded as a joke.”

While one fan reacted with: “Arlene Phillips just casually using OCD as an adjective on #ImACeleb. Great start to the season…”

And someone else wrote: "Oh here we are then Arlene Phillips “has OCD” because she likes to tidy THAT’S NOT OCD FFS #ImACeleb."

ITV has been contacted for comment.

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Arlene has not publicly come out as having OCD, which the NHS website describes as a common mental health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours.

OCD can be distressing and impact someone’s day-to-day life with obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. 

However treatment can help those with OCD manage their symptoms including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or a type of antidepressant medicine called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

There are OCD information services to help people suffering, including OCD Action and OCD-UK.

I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! continues tonight at 9.15pm on ITV

Topics: Celebrity, ITV, TV And Film, Im A Celebrity

Gregory Robinson

Gregory is a journalist working for Tyla. After graduating with a master's degree in journalism, he has worked for both print and online publications and is particularly interested in TV, (pop) music and lifestyle. He loves Madonna, teen dramas from the '90s and prefers tea over coffee.