Lydon leaves the jungle pretty vacant

The producers of I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here have confirmed that John Lydon has quit the TV show and will not be allowed…

The producers of I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here have confirmed that John Lydon has quit the TV show and will not be allowed back into the jungle camp.

ITV bosses have refused to reveal the reasons for his decision to leave and are currently deciding whether to go ahead with tonight's eviction, or put it off until Friday.

The former Sex Pistol announced he wanted out at 12.30pm local time (2.30am Irish time) and left the camp after hugging his fellow contestants.

Programme bosses lowered the drawbridge that separates the jungle camp from the outside world and let him out.

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A spokeswoman for the ITV show would not discuss the reasons for Lydon's departure - but they will be disclosed on tonight's programme.

It is hoped that the 48-year-old former punk will also appear to tell presenters Ant and Dec why he decided to quit.

In a statement, ITV said: "He has been fantastic entertainment on the show and viewers and his fellow celebrities have found him to be an endearing, eccentric and sensitive character. We respect his decision to quit and hope we haven't seen the last of him."

But even if Lydon changes his mind about being on the show, he will not be allowed back in to the camp.

He will not be replaced by a stand-in celebrity, the spokeswoman said.

Lydon's decision to quit came hours after producers told him off for swearing on live TV.