I'm A Celebrity's John Barrowman is terrified of the jungle as he has a phobia of 'anything touching his neck' and suffers claustrophobic panic attacks

The TV star admitted he is claustrophobic during a pre-show interview released yesterday.

He admitted suffering panic attacks during filming of Doctor Who and struggled with make-up on Torchwood due to the fears.

John, 51, said: “As a child I had a few phobias, and as an adult I’ve added a couple more – okay, I’ve added a lot. Then and now, I can’t stand anyone touching my face or my neck.

"Obviously this is a bit of a challenge when I have to wear make-up for TV or photo shoots. I’ve learned to suck it up and be brave.

“My Torchwood make-up artists, Claire Pritchard-Jones and Marie Doris, have tricks they pull when they need to chunk my hair or use their fingers near my face or neck, distracting me with shopping catalogues, sweeties or cute bums when they need to.”



He added: "When I played Che in a concert production of Evita in Oslo, Norway, I loved the show, but it was torture every night having a beard glued to my face.

"My immediate family shares this peculiar phobia for face and neck fondling. Being able to use this odd trait to annoy my big sister was one of my great triumphs as a little brother.”

The ITV show is famous for its Bushtucker Trials which includes the celebrities being in tight spaces surrounded by the likes of spiders and insects.

The panto star is currently bookmakers' favourite to win the show with Betfair having him at 3/1 and The Chase's Anne Hegerty at 5/1.

John continued by saying panic attacks he has suffered from in the past have been caused by his fear of public spaces.

He said: "Over the years, I’ve been onstage in the middle of a number and suffered a panic attack, been in the TARDIS with the Doctor and kept one at bay.

"I’ve been told that panic attacks are often triggered for no reason, but agoraphobia or, in my case, mild claustrophobia can be a catalyst."

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