Comedian Rufus Hound has revealed why he refused to return to the panel of 'chaotic' ITV series Celebrity Juice for its last ever episode. 

Hosted by the Keith Lemon - played by Leigh Francis, 52 - the show became a no-holds-barred playground for celebrity guests who were more than willing to leave their dignity at the door.

The comedian decided it was time to shelve the show in 2022 over changes in humour with younger viewers that made him feel 'nothing was acceptable anymore'. 

Now, Rufus, 46, one of the panellists on the programme, was revealed what it was really like behind-the-scenes, and the reasons why he didn't return for its last hurrah. 

The star noted the 'chaotic' antics off-screen, which included the cast 'sitting in the bar' or heading to the local pub before filming took place. 

Heaping praise on host Leigh, and regular panellists Holly Willoughby and Fearne Cotton, Rufus admitted the show 'always felt like a night out', putting the ITV show's success down to the 'brilliance' of its stars. 

And it was for this reason that Rufus couldn't blame his co-stars for not returning for the finale, which aired in December 2022.

Instead, Rufus admitted that it had 'nothing to do' with Leigh, Holly, and Fearne, both 44, and was entirely to those he was 'working for' behind-the-scenes. 

He told The Express: 'When they finished the show, there was a big final show and I was asked whether I would go back for that.

'But that all ended in a way where it had nothing to do with Leigh, Holly or Fearne, but just the people I was working for... I was like, "Nah, you're alright".'

He added of the series: 'It was chaotic as it seemed on screen. We would turn up in the afternoon and the first thing that we would do is just sit in the bar for an hour.'

It comes after Rufus revealed he was engaged to his EastEnders actress girlfriend Sally Hodgkiss with a social media post in 2024. 

The comedian and TV star took to X, formerly Twitter to announce the news and paid tribute to the Superman Requiem star for transforming his life.

He wrote: 'In the past two years, Sally has redefined how completely loved or seen I ever believed someone could make me feel. 

'We talk and nourish each other in a way that's almost unbelievable to me. Last night, I asked her to marry me.'

News of Rufus' relationship came to light last June when he took to Twitter to talk about his new love, after splitting from wife Beth Johnson as he declared 'nobody has ever loved me as much as her'.

Rufus wed Beth in 2007 in a Las Vegas ceremony and together they share son Alby and daughter Hilda, before eventually splitting in 2020.

But now he has well and truly moved on and found love again with former soap star Sally.

The actress appeared in EastEnders as Steph in 2019 when her character worked as a waitress at Walford restaurant, Walford East. 

Elsewhere, Celebrity Juice host Leigh Francis opened up on the reasons why he was happy to part with the ITV series after 14 years. 

Speaking to The Sun, the blonde presenter has confessed 'nothing is acceptable anymore' and just like fashion, comedy tastes change.

He told the publication: 'Now, nothing is acceptable any more — we had 'the rules were the rules' in past times, and they're ­different now, so of course there are things back then that you wouldn't do any more.

'You don't set out to offend anyone, you just set out to make people laugh, but for me, now when I come up with an idea, it has to be a straight one, with just a bit of silliness.

'Quite a lot of comedians are now presenting straight shows, entertainment programmes that are funny, just maybe not as funny as a sketch show.'

He confessed that he thinks it is a 'shame' for viewers because some still want to watch that old-school silly comedy that was peak television in the noughties.

Leigh admitted that comedy will 'always offend someone,' but he feels it is all 'being taken too seriously.'

'At the end of the day, you're always going to upset someone — but it's just comedy and, in these modern times, I feel that it's all being taken too seriously', he added.

He then revealed that because he has dimmed down his dramatics in comedy he is frequently asked if he has 'gone woke?' to which he explained that he doesn't understand what that meant.

For the iconic show, each week, two celebrity teams were led by regular captains like the glamorous Holly Willoughby and the equally wild Fearne Cotton.

They then would go head-to-head, tackling ridiculous challenges that often left them covered in food, squirming in embarrassment, or laughing until they cried.

From cringe-worthy confessions to unexpected antics, Celebrity Juice was the show where anything could happen and was seen as the perfect late-night fix.

Keith Lemon, the outrageous alter ego of comedian Leigh, was born out of Francis' creative and absurd humor, blending influences from his personal life, pop culture, and his knack for embodying eccentric characters.

Before Keith Lemon, Francis had already gained popularity with other characters, especially Avid Merrion, from his previous show Bo' Selecta.

Leigh based parts of Keith's personality on people he knew in his hometown of Leeds, as well as his love for 1980s pop culture.

The name 'Lemon' came from a friend Francis had who was called Keith and shared some of the same cheeky, over-the-top personality traits.

The character of Keith Lemon debuted in Keith Lemon's Very Brilliant World Tour in 2008, where he portrayed himself as a fictional version of a successful entrepreneur and ladies' man.