Arlene Phillips says Perthshire teen inspired her to take on I'm a Celebrity

Former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips became the the first celebrity to be voted out of I'm A Celebrity last night and gave a heart-warming tribute to Perthshire teen Lily Douglas.

Lily has been battling Ewing Sarcoma, a type of tumour found in bone and soft tissue since 2017 and was labelled "one of the bravest, fearless girls" by the I'm A Celeb contestant.

Arlene has a close friendship with Lily and her family and in 2017, s he donated to a fundraising appeal which had been set up to raise money for Lily.

And earlier this year, Arlene presented Lily with a teenager of courage award at the Pride of Scotland awards in Glasgow.

As the 78-year-old chatted to Ant and Dec about her reasons for doing the show, she hailed the 13-year-old as "fearless" and said it made her realise she had to do I'm a Celebrity and face her own fears.

"It's made me think about fear this programme, I've watched it for so long and it's about overcoming fear," said Arlene.

"One of the bravest, most fearless girls is a little girl I know called Lily Douglas who has just won a Pride of Scotland award for courage and she's so fearless.

"I thought here am I afraid of so many things what way better can you push yourself than to do something like this.

"I never camp, my family all camp, I've never camped I've always gone I'll never sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor - I've done it. All those things, it brings out something in you."

Arlene was the oldest contestant to take part in the ITV series at 78-years-old before being voted off the show.

The former judge revealed she was “in a way relieved” to be leaving the show, as it was much harder than she had anticipated.

She added: “You know, I want to see my family, but (I’m) emotional because of everything this has been, the highs and the lows, it’s been something in my life that I never imagined doing and it’s been extraordinary”.

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