HEIDI MONTAG HOSPITALISED ON I?M A CELEBRITY GET ME OUT OF HERE USA

TV3 GROUP RELEASE
IMMEDIATE: Wednesday 10th June 2009

HEIDI MONTAG HOSPITALISED ON I’M A CELEBRITY GET ME OUT OF HERE USA

Heidi Montag has been hospitalised in Costa Rica

The Hills star had fallen ill during her stay with her husband Spencer Pratt in "isolation" from the rest of the cast of I'M A CELEBRITY...GET ME OUT OF HERE USA.

NBC has confirmed that Montag's younger sibling and The Hills co-star will enter the Costa Rican jungle in an upcoming episode.

Pratt's sister Stephanie revealed the news on her Twitter page and has blamed NBC for going "too far" with the newlywed couple.

Tune in to I’m A CELEBRITY GET ME OUT OF HERE USA every Thursday through Sunday at 9pm on TV3

The Hills star Heidi Montag was taken to hospital in Costa Rica earlier this week after reportedly contracting a stomach bug while living in isolation from her fellow celebrity campers.

Heidi and her husband Spencer Pratt have caused controversy after threatening to leave the show three times because of the poor living conditions. They have also been criticised for attempting to promote a shampoo brand on camera and for demeaning their fellow celebrities. It is thought that Montag picked up her illness while the couple were living in “isolation” in order to prove their desire to return to the competition.

Recently, ITV, the programme's producer was forced to deny allegations that the reality couple were tortured by executives on the set of the show, insisting that doctors were on hand at all times. ITV has denied the claims, saying: "ITV has been producing this format around the world for many years and the health of the celebrity participants are of the utmost importance.

NBC has confirmed that Montag's younger sibling and The Hills co-star will join the cast of this year's I'M A CELEBRITY...GET ME OUT OF HERE USA and enter the Costa Rican jungle in an upcoming episode. It is not known whether Holly is being lined up to replace Heidi or whether she will enter the camp alongside her sister.

Stephanie Pratt has claimed that her sister-in-law Heidi Montag was "virtually on her deathbed" following her stint on I'M A CELEBRITY...GET ME OUT OF HERE USA. Stephanie Pratt revealed on her Twitter page: "Heidi was rushed to the hospital and has an IV in her arm after being locked in a dark room for 3 days w no food or water. Pls pray she will be ok…Her family is flying out to see her in the hospital."

Speaking to People magazine, Stephanie said: "Heidi was virtually on her deathbed. She's never been sicker in her life. I can't believe NBC did that.” Stephanie added: "Basically, she started throwing up. She threw up like 30 times because she had no food in her. I guess she went unconscious and was rushed to the hospital with an IV in her arm.” "I understand [that quitting the show] was not cool...It was pretty awful. But the punishment they got went way too far."

I’M A CELEBRITY GET ME OUT OF HERE USA, every Thursday through Sunday at 9pm on TV3

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ENDS.

For further information:
Ciara Byrne
TV3 PRESS OFFICE
+353 1 419 3329
Ciara.byrne@tv3.ie
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www.tv3.ie