Ruthie Henshall has 'no regrets' over Prince Edward revelations in 'I'm A Celebrity' camp
Watch: Ruthie Henshall thought she was off-mic during those comments
West End Star Ruthie Henshall has said she has “no regrets” over making a cheeky joke about her relationship with Prince Edward while in the I’m A Celebrity castle.
Henshall was the second person to be voted out of the castle in this year’s competition, which had to be moved from the Australian jungle to North Wales, because of coronavirus restrictions.
Contestants are filmed constantly while in the camp, but with no access to the outside world, they have no idea which parts of their conversations have made it on to television until they leave.
Henshall, 53, looked shocked when she realised a chat with Shane Richie had been aired to millions of viewers, but has now said she has “no regrets”.
She said: “I might have made a certain joke about something to Shane which I had no idea was being listened to at the time. But it was for a laugh, we were having a good time and I have no regrets.”
She added: “Because you are with people 24/7 and you’re having conversations that you just get carried away with and don’t quite realise how revealing it is.”
Despite joking as she left the castle that she could have sold the story, she vowed to “keep the rest firmly tucked away”.
However Henshall did make an apology to the royals when she got out of the castle and admitted she didn’t think she was being picked up on the microphones at the time.
She told The Sun: “That was my first day, and I had no idea that was being picked up.
“I said it to make Shane laugh, but you quickly become aware that everything is being recorded and you honestly forget the cameras are there.
“But I mean I was having a good old joke with Shane and it was a bit rude and you know, but it wasn't supposed to be for everyone's ears.
“I do apologise for that comment.”
Sharing her highlights reel on Instagram on her first night out of camp, she said: “What an amazing experience and an amazing group of people to share it with. Looking forward to watching tonight’s ep from the other side of the camera though… with a large glass of wine, bag of crisps and my girls!”
Henshall, who is a single mother to two daughters, spoke about meeting Edward when he was a production assistant at Andrew Lloyd Webber’s theatre.
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The pair dated on and off for five years. Henshall recalled trips to Balmoral with the royals, including Diana.
She hasn’t talked extensively about the relationship, but did reveal some details in 2008 when she was on Desert Island Discs.
On the show she revealed they dated “solidly for a couple of years, but on and off for five”, adding: “We couldn't quite let go”.
She’d also said: “It was very exciting, but I genuinely fell in love with him.”
Ultimately she had to decide between her career and love - and chose her career.
She said: “I think I had hopes that we could walk on in our relationship but really and truthfully I think I was very aware that I wouldn't be able to do what I do for a living if I'd have stayed with him.
“If you think about it I would be in the theatre (doing) eight shows a week, they'd have to check out the theatre every night, check everyone's bags, it would be just impossible, and there was nothing - at that stage - that was more important than what I did.”
The pair seem to have stayed friends, as Henshall attended Prince Edward’s wedding to Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999.
Edward and Sophie, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, retained their jobs after marrying but became full-time working royals in 2002.
Watch: Who is Prince Edward?
