Sometimes life brings you full circle in the most unexpected ways, and Ruby Wax’s recent jungle adventure proved exactly that.
Instead of stepping into a cosy TV studio or delivering a polished monologue, she found herself face-to-face with some of the most dreaded foods on reality television—all while laughing at her own old promises never to take such a leap.
Taking on the Jungle’s Toughest Challenges
During her time on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, the 72-year-old comedian didn’t shy away from the infamous bushtucker trials.
From chewing on a wriggling witchetty grub to swallowing a pig’s testicle and even gulping down vomit fruit juice, she faced each challenge with the kind of grit most people can only admire.
A Woman Who Once Swore She’d Never Do It
Ironically, Ruby had once vowed she’d never be seen “eating a cockroach on an island.”
She even insisted she’d never cross into reality television at all. Yet this year she surprised everyone—including herself—by joining the cast.
And before long, she was laughing about how she had quite literally ended up eating her own words.
Stepping Back Into the Public Eye
Her appearance was also a nostalgic moment for viewers who remembered her from the early 2000s, before she quietly stepped away from TV after Ruby Wax Meets was cancelled in 1998 and her later chat show wrapped up in 2003.
Despite the long break, she charmed audiences all over again with the wit that made her famous.
Navigating Mental Health and Career Changes
Ruby has spoken openly about her battles with clinical depression and how it gradually chipped away at both her confidence and her energy during her TV years.
Losing her creative spark left her feeling replaced and bruised, and she has previously said she was grateful that her TV stint ended when it did—believing that going down the reality-show path too early might have done her real harm.
Why Reality TV Once Terrified Her
During an appearance on the Crisis What Crisis? podcast, Ruby explained why she once insisted she’d never appear on shows like I’m A Celeb.
She joked that being “too smart” might have made her self-destructive in such an environment, especially given the pressure on women in TV to look ageless.
Her strategy instead? “Keep moving forward.”
Walking Away From Showbiz
She also shared that her departure from the entertainment industry was more of a mutual separation than a dramatic exit. Depression made everyday work difficult.
During her final years on television, she found herself struggling to think of funny lines, relying on help through an earpiece, and dealing with rising panic as her creativity slipped away.
Being replaced hurt deeply, bruising her ego, but it also pushed her toward a completely different path.
A New Purpose in Mindfulness
After closing her TV chapter, Ruby shifted gears.
She went on to earn a master’s degree in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy from Oxford’s Kellogg College and has since written several books—including A Mindfulness Guide for Survival.
She describes her second career in psychotherapy as a “life raft,” far more exciting than the familiar world of television.
Her Return Came With a Surprising Payday
Despite all her earlier reluctance, Ruby eventually agreed to join the jungle cast—and reportedly earned around £95,000 for doing so.
With an estimated personal worth between £4 million and £5 million, her decades in comedy and television clearly paid off, beginning with her breakout role on ITV’s Girls On Top and later interview success on the BBC.
Emotional Goodbyes in the Jungle
When Ruby became the fifth contestant to leave the jungle, the farewell wasn’t easy.
Many of the remaining celebrities shed tears when her name was announced.
Speaking to hosts Ant and Dec, Ruby described her campmates as “family,” sharing that the experience felt like stepping into a fantasy world where the outside world simply didn’t exist.
Bonds That Got Weird—and Wonderful
Ruby joked about how close the group had become, recalling everything from shaving each other to inspecting one another’s health concerns.
“It doesn’t get any closer,” she laughed.
She also described her shock at becoming “the queen” of camp, joking that she ruled with charm—even if she was never officially voted into the role.
Looking Ahead
After embracing an adventure she once swore she’d never attempt, Ruby leaves the jungle with a renewed sense of connection and gratitude.
While she hasn’t yet revealed her next big move, her mix of humour, self-awareness, and resilience suggests that whatever comes next will be another chapter worth watching.
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