Former supermodel Janice Dickinson has filed a personal injury lawsuit against ITV Studios at the High Court in London following a serious accident during filming of I’m A Celebrity… South Africa that left her hospitalised with head and facial injuries.
The 70-year-old American television personality is seeking compensation after tripping over a cable in the Kruger National Park whilst walking to the toilet in darkness during the 2023 series, resulting in what she described as an “honest accident” that forced her immediate withdrawal from the competition.
Court documents filed last week under the title “Dickinson v ITV Studios Limited” detail the personal injury claim, though the exact amount of financial compensation being sought has not been disclosed. The lawsuit comes as ITV films the second series of the All Stars spin-off in South Africa, with presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly currently on location for the pre-recorded programme.
The self-proclaimed “world’s first supermodel” suffered what witnesses described as a “terrifying” fall in November 2022 whilst filming the first series of the celebrity spin-off. She reportedly tripped over a cable in the dark, landing face-first with such force that fellow campmates were awakened by what one source called a “sickening thud.”
The incident left Dickinson with a head wound, black eye, and initial concerns about a potential skull fracture. Campmates Fatima Whitbread and Myleene Klass were reportedly first on the scene, with sources claiming there was “blood everywhere” as they rushed to provide aid.
Blood was gushing from her head and she was covered in dirt and dust,” a source told The Sun at the time. “A crowd formed and one of the campmates had to ask everyone to stand back to give her space to breathe.”
After being rushed to hospital by ambulance, doctors thankfully ruled out a skull fracture, though the businesswoman required surgery for her injuries and was unable to return to the competition. ITV covered her medical bills in Los Angeles, where she received follow-up treatment.
Speaking after the incident, Dickinson reflected on the lasting impact of her injuries: “If you look really closely now, there’s still an indentation on my forehead, which I don’t think will ever fill out.”
The former America’s Next Top Model judge also recalled her husband Robert Gerner’s reaction when he first saw her injuries: “My husband’s face didn’t budge when he saw me – it was probably like waking up and seeing me every morning with this wrinkly old pruney face. But he held my hand really tight so I knew something must be up.”
Despite calling it an “honest accident,” Dickinson admitted she was disappointed not to be able to return to camp, though acknowledged production had made the right decision in withdrawing her from the show for medical reasons.
“I was in shock even a day after,” she recalled. “I think people in the campsite couldn’t have handled it.”
Dermot McNamara, Dickinson’s representative, confirmed to BBC News that a claim had been issued in relation to her appearance on I’m A Celebrity… South Africa, stating she “looked forward to giving her full account in due course.”
ITV has declined to comment on the lawsuit.
The legal action represents a significant blow to the franchise as filming continues for the second series of the All Stars edition. The spin-off, which premiered in 2023, features former contestants from the main show returning to compete for the title of “I’m A Celebrity Legend.”
The first series saw celebrities including Myleene Klass, who was eventually crowned the winner, Amir Khan, Gillian McKeith, Joe Swash, and Carol Vorderman compete in the pre-recorded format. Unlike the main show, which broadcasts live from Australia with viewer voting, the South Africa edition is filmed in advance without public interaction during the competition.
Dickinson’s accident and subsequent withdrawal meant she finished tenth overall in the competition, having previously been runner-up in the seventh series of the main show in 2007, where she lost out to winner Christopher Biggins.
In her exit interview at the time, Dickinson expressed frustration at the circumstances of her departure: “I could have been the one to be second runner up or even win this series because I was just so steadfast. I did my fair share in standing up, falling down. Getting my face in the dirt.”
She added: “I felt like they could have possibly cleaned my wounds and set me back on my path in there. But production made the right decision in the end to not send me back in.”
The incident has raised questions about safety protocols on set, particularly regarding lighting and cable management in areas where contestants move around at night. The camp’s location in Kruger National Park presents unique challenges compared to the Australian jungle setting of the main series.
Despite the controversy, ITV confirmed in September 2025 that the All Stars series would return for a second instalment in 2026, with a new twist featuring a live final broadcast from London where viewers will vote for the winner. Filming is currently underway in South Africa with Ant and Dec at the helm.
Speaking about the new series, Ant said: “The campmates really brought their A-game to the first series so we can’t wait to be back for more trials, challenges and surprises amongst the beautiful South African landscape.”
Dec added: “Having a live final is an exciting addition to the new series with the viewers choosing their IAC Legend.”
The 2023 series attracted criticism from some viewers who didn’t enjoy the pre-recorded nature of the show, missing the interactive format they were accustomed to from the main programme, which has been on screens since 2002.
The lawsuit comes at a crucial time for the franchise, with the main I’m A Celebrity series set to return to screens later this year, broadcasting live from Australia. The show remains one of ITV’s flagship programmes, regularly attracting over 9 million viewers.
Dickinson, who found fame as a model in the 1970s and 1980s, has been married four times and has two children. She opened a modelling agency in 2005, which was documented in the reality series Janice Dickinson Modelling Agency, before becoming a judge on America’s Next Top Model.
Her participation in reality television has made her a familiar face to British audiences, particularly through her memorable stint on the 2007 series of I’m A Celebrity where she quickly became a fan favourite.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the incident serves as a reminder of the physical risks celebrities face when participating in reality television programmes, even those designed primarily for entertainment rather than extreme challenges.
The case could have implications for future series production and safety measures, particularly in remote locations where medical facilities may be some distance from filming sites.
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