Heather Maltmans Jungle 'Sickie' Sparks Online Backlash

As cool and collected as ever under pressure, her jungle partner Joel Creasey simply made light of the missing former Bachelor contestant.

“Heather Maltman’s been eaten by a lion but producers tell me I have to say it’s a stomach bug.”

But based on the barrage of online reaction to her absence, many were hoping Joel wasn’t joking!

Others pulled even less punches as the online community caught fire with the news of Heather’s no-show.

“Iacnow [I’m A Celebrity…Get Out Of Here Now] is watchable without Heather! one viewer Tweeted.

While another fires off, “Question of The Day: what number do we text to vote Heather off the show?”

Heather later posted this sweet Instagram picture of a Get Well card from Joel and an apology note.

“Sorry I couldn’t do the show tonight ya’ll. Get sick in Australia, you get a bit clammy and have aches and pains… Get sick in South Africa, and you question if you’ll survive. Hahahha… I have the best onset co-host husband ever @joelcreasey.”

Heather says she hopes to be well enough to be back in front of the camera in a few days.

But it’s not the first time the TV rookie has faced criticism for her hosting ability on the new, late-night behind-the-scenes addition to the hit series hosted by Julia Morris and Chris Brown.

Just a few days earlier she took to her Instagram account to post this statement:

“Life can be tricky. We all make mistakes and can do the wrong thing. As long as you can look after the guy beside you and say ‘do your thing man,” she writes.

“Just don’t judge me if I do mine!’ Then you might do ok at life.

“I’m not near perfect… We’ve all seen that. Bahaha but I do my best. That’s all you can ask of anyone. #IACNow @imacelebrityau I hope we can stop hating on either side and just see no one is perfect and send some love.”

Meanwhile, you can read all the news about the surgery secrets of Heather’s former Bachelor rival Laurina Fleure by clicking here.