Adele Roberts says bowel cancer symptom could be seen on I'm a Celeb

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me out of Here! and Big Brother star Roberts was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2021, and is now opening up about dealing with cancer during her time in the jungle. Not knowing she was severely ill, she put the weight loss down to the lack of food in the jungle, but something else was going on.

In an appearance on on Thursday, ahead of the new series which airs this Sunday, she said despite the visible weight loss, nobody - including her - picked up on the signs. In the jungle, Adele was joined by presenter .

Today, Kate said that she and the other camp mates - even producers - were worried about Adele's rapid weight loss. But due to the restricted diet in the jungle, it was put down to that.

In response, Adele said: "Yeah I didn't realise I had bowel cancer and that's why I make it my mission now to talk about it as much as possible because I was there in plain sight, on TV and so many people were watching and didn't pick up on the symptoms". Speaking about her symptoms she said she "lost weight rapidly" and had a "loss of appetite" saying she was the only one in the jungle who "didn't want to eat the food, I wasn't hungry". She added she also had a "bloated tummy and it wasn't until I came out the jungle and shortly afterwards that I started noticing blood when I went to the toilet - and that was the giveaway really. That's when I called the doctor."

Adele has been cancer-free for two years and now has a stoma. According to : "A stoma is an opening that is made through the tummy (abdominal) wall. It connects the bowel to the surface of the tummy. The stoma is round or oval-shaped, and it looks pink and moist. It has no nerve supply, so it does not hurt. Having a stoma means poo (stools) will not pass out of the rectum and anus in the usual way. Instead, it will pass out of the stoma, into a disposable bag that is worn over the stoma."

"Taking on the six major marathons of the in the hopes of raising what's possible post-cancer with a stoma", she added: "It's quite hard to run marathons with them [stoma]". Talking about the difficulties but stressing she wants to show that it is possible and that it's not going to stop her from doing what she wants, she said that "running has been fundamental, it's been my medicine, it's helped me mentally and physically."

Stressing how people should be proud if they have a stoma rather than embarrassed, she admits it "breaks my heart to think that anyone would be ashamed of a stoma. Anyone who has one has been through a tough time already. So to me it's a badge of honour and it's something you should be proud of. You shouldn't have to hide it away."

The much-loved star, who has three marathons coming up, also revealed she calls her stoma Audrey saying: "When I first saw my stoma it reminded me of the plant of the plant of Little Shop of Horrors", joking only it doesn't have teeth. The 44-year-old broadcaster plans to participate in marathons across the world in Tokyo, Boston, London with her having already done Berlin, Chicago, and New York City to raise funds for and the (AMF).

What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?

It's key to keep an eye out for symptoms and go to the doctors as soon as you suspect something is wrong. Adele was diagnosed with the same cancer as Dame , who was 35 when she found out that she had stage 4 bowel cancer. Sadly Deborah passed away in June 2022 at the age of 40.

Symptoms of bowel cancer may include:

• bloating
• losing weight without trying
• feeling very tired for no reason
• tummy pain
• a lump in your tummy
• changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you
• needing to poo more or less often than usual for you
• blood in your poo, which may look red or black
• bleeding from your bottom
• often feeling like you need to poo, even if you've just been to the toilet

The further warn that "Bowel cancer can cause anaemia (when you have fewer red blood cells than usual), which can make you feel very tired, short of breath and have ."