SO bad has her reality TV debut been that even one of Kezia Dugdale's closest confidants was left astonished when the former Scottish Labour leader dodged the axe on I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here.

Alan Roden, who flew to Australia last week to spin on Dugdale’s behalf, was asked how he felt after the MSP survived an early public vote. “A bit surprised,” said the former Daily Mail reporter who became director of communications for Scottish Labour under Dugdale.

Dugdale, who campaigned against MSPs taking second jobs, angered her Labour colleagues by jetting off to Australia to appear on the popular jungle show, which is known for humiliating D-list celebrities by getting them to do degrading tasks.

She did not receive permission to abandon her parliamentary duties and may still face disciplinary action on her return.

On the first week of the show, Dugdale is also said to have annoyed I’m a Celebrity bosses by saying little of substance or note as cameras ran.

She appeared to make little effort in one of the challenges, which involved trying to finish a drink made of blended bull penis and another made from pig and ostrich anus.

Evictions are determined by public vote and the Lothians MSP was widely expected to get the boot on Friday evening.

However, comedian Shappi Khorsandi proved even more unpopular than Dugdale and she became the first person to leave the jungle for a stay in a luxury Australian hotel until the show ends later this month.

Roden, who was Dugdale’s spin doctor as Scottish Labour leader, told the TV show: “She’s used to losing things – I thought she would be going home.”

The comment may have been a sarcastic reference to Dugdale's dismal record of losing three elections during an ill-fated stint as leader.

Scarlett Moffatt, one of the show’s interviewers, then said: “Don’t worry. We’ll edit that bit out before Kezia watches it.”

Asked if he had been concerned about Dugdale leaving, Roden said: “I was concerned she might be.”

However, he added: “I think the camp-mates will appreciate her staying. She’s a really good cook.”

Until June 20, Dugdale’s register of interest stated that “all and any” external earnings would be given to charity.

However, as revealed by the Sunday Herald, she changed her declaration so that the only commitment was giving away post-tax earnings from writing a tabloid newspaper column.

The change, made when she was still leader, allows Dugdale to keep the fee from the show, although a source close to her said she will give a “portion” to charity. Dugdale is also giving her parliamentary salary to charity while she is in the jungle.

The MSP will face an ‘interview’ with party bosses after she comes back from the show, which could be as early as next week.