In a dramatic legal showdown that’s rocking the world of reality TV, veteran supermodel Janice Dickinson has launched a bombshell lawsuit against ITV Studios, claiming a horrific fall during filming of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! South Africa left her with permanent facial scarring, nerve damage, and a life-altering disfigurement.

The 70-year-old American icon, once dubbed the world’s first supermodel and a fierce judge on America’s Next Top Model, is seeking nearly £700,000 (around $900,000) in damages in a personal injury claim filed at London’s High Court. Court documents and explosive new details reveal the incident occurred in the dead of night in the South African jungle camp back in 2022, during the all-star spin-off series that aired in 2023.

According to the lawsuit, Janice tripped and fell flat on her face while getting up to use the toilet in the darkness. She alleges the fall caused severe injuries to her head, lips, cheeks, chin, lower face, and wrists — resulting in ‘permanent traumatic scarring,’ facial deformities, and nerve damage that still affects her speech, eating, and drinking. Photos she has shared show a bloodied, bruised, and scabbed face: her forehead gashed, nose scraped, lips split, and chin battered — a far cry from the glamorous runway queen fans remember.

Sources close to the case claim the accident happened after Janice was given sleeping medication by an ITV-employed medic. The combination of the sedative and the pitch-black camp — allegedly lacking adequate lighting or safety measures — is central to her argument that ITV breached its duty of care. ‘She was disoriented from the medication, the camp was dark, and there was no proper illumination or guidance,’ an insider told us. ‘Janice believes the production team failed to ensure basic safety, especially for older contestants in a challenging environment.’

The fallout was immediate and devastating. Janice was forced to leave the show early, flying home for medical treatment. She later described the experience as traumatic, telling outlets she felt ‘permanently altered.’ In recent interviews, she has been open about the long-term impact: difficulty with facial expressions, ongoing pain, and emotional toll on her confidence as a public figure whose face was her fortune.

ITV Studios has declined to comment on the ongoing litigation, but the case has reignited debates about contestant safety on reality shows. I’m a Celebrity is known for its grueling trials — from eating bugs to enduring isolation — but critics argue the production prioritizes drama over welfare. Waivers signed by participants typically cover inherent risks, but UK law experts note you cannot sign away rights to negligence causing personal injury.

‘This isn’t about the show’s thrills — it’s about basic duty of care,’ a legal commentator explained. ‘If medication impaired her judgment and lighting was inadequate, ITV could be liable. The £700k claim reflects potential loss of earnings, medical costs, and pain and suffering.’

Janice’s participation in the 2023 South Africa spin-off was already headline-making. The pre-recorded series saw returning campmates battle it out in the Kruger wilderness, with Myleene Klass ultimately crowned winner. Janice brought her trademark feistiness, clashing with campmates and delivering memorable moments — but the fall overshadowed it all. She exited early, hospitalised upon return to the US.

Photos of her injuries, first shared publicly in 2026 amid the lawsuit buzz, are shocking: raw wounds across her face, swelling, and scabs that took weeks to heal. ‘It’s heartbreaking to see what happened to her,’ one fan commented online. ‘She was a force in camp, then this. Hope she gets justice.’

The timing of the claim — filed in September 2025, more than two years after the incident — has raised eyebrows. Some speculate Janice delayed while recovering or gathering evidence; others question why it took so long. But her team insists the full extent of the nerve damage only became clear over time, with ongoing medical assessments confirming permanent changes.

Janice Dickinson’s career spans decades: from gracing Vogue covers in the 1970s-80s to reality TV stardom. She has been candid about past struggles — addiction, plastic surgery, and industry battles — but this lawsuit marks a new chapter. ‘My face was my brand,’ she reportedly told friends. ‘Now it’s scarred, and it hurts every day.’

The case could set a precedent for how production companies handle contestant safety. With reality TV under scrutiny — from mental health concerns on Love Island to physical risks on Survivor — Janice’s action shines a spotlight on the fine line between entertainment and endangerment.

Fans are divided. Supporters rally: ‘She deserves compensation — no one signs up to be disfigured.’ Skeptics point to waivers: ‘It’s the jungle; things happen.’ But as the High Court prepares to hear arguments, one thing is clear: this supermodel isn’t backing down.

From runway royalty to courtroom warrior, Janice Dickinson’s fight for justice is just beginning — and the jungle drama has moved from camp to court.