Pratt: 'Montag was virtually on deathbed'

Rex Features

Stephanie Pratt has claimed that her sister-in-law Heidi Montag was "virtually on her deathbed" following her stint on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!

The Hills star was taken to hospital in Costa Rica earlier this week after reportedly contracting a stomach bug while living in isolation from her fellow celebrity campers.

Speaking to People, Stephanie said: "Heidi was virtually on her deathbed. She's never been sicker in her life. I can't believe NBC did that.

"Basically, she started throwing up. She threw up like 30 times because she had no food in her. I guess she went unconscious and was rushed to the hospital with an IV in her arm.

"I understand [that quitting the show] was not cool...It was pretty awful. But the punishment they got went way too far."

When asked if Heidi and husband Spencer would be returning to the show, she said: "I really don't think so. Heidi is in really bad shape."

Earlier today, producer ITV denied allegations that the pair had been tortured on the set by executives, insisting that a doctor was present at all times during their stay in the jungle.