Sam Thompson wins I'm A Celebrity 2023 as he beats Tony and Farage to the crown

10 December 2023 , 22:34

1100 0

I'm A Celebrity viewers have crowned their 2023 King of the Jungle.

Sam Thompson was crowned the winner of the latest series of the gruelling challenge show, after a total of 12 celebrities headed into the Australian jungle to rough it for three weeks, beating Nigel Farage and Tony Bellew . Tony heaped praise on his co-star after his win, with Sam himself close to tears.

Sitting on the throne and choking up, Sam told hosts Ant and Dec: "I feel overwhelmed, I didn't even think I would get invited on the show. Asked if he had a message for voters, he said: "I am so grateful, I have dreamed of being on this show. You just made a boy's dream come true."

Sam also told the presenting duo: "I never knew I could be as happy as I am right now, it's been magical. It's like a dream I don't want you to wake me up from. I got asked for my down moments in there and I don't know, even the moments I felt low I was like 'I am feeling low in the jungle'.

"There were so many amazing people I never thought I would get to spend time with." Asked about the prospect of winning he said: "I just wanted to hit cyclone. Anything else is a bonus and feels like a dream."

Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade

Sam, 31, and Tony, 41, formed a sweet bond in camp with the Made In Chelsea star and former professional boxer taking on a father-son type relationship. Tony joked Sam was his fifth child and even said he could join him for Christmas.

The series has undoubtedly been one of the most talked-about for a number of reasons. One of which was the signing of former UKIP leader Farage – who was reportedly paid a whopping £1.5million, the highest ever fee paid by the show, to take part. Farage, who finished in third place, critics vowed to boycott the series and even set up a petition to stop the 59-year-old from taking part.

Despite ITV bosses reportedly regretting his signing, Farage managed to make it to the final – despite clashing with campmates and being vocal about his desire for screen time on the programme. His critics slammed the show as a 'fix' as the ex MEP continued to remain in camp while other stars were booted out following a public vote.

Farage's supporters had launched a desperate campaign to get him to win the series – including creating fake photographs in order to convince people to vote for the former politician. His social media feeds are full of images appearing to show Vote Nigel posters on landmarks, such as a London bus, black cab, in the Tube, and even beamed on to the Empire State Building in New York.

Sam Thompson wins I'm A Celebrity 2023 as he beats Tony and Farage to the crown

Sam and Tony forged a close bond in the jungle

But, their desperate bid didn't land him a place on the I'm A Celebrity... throne. Other huge talking points from the series include awkward rows between campmates. Nella Rose's clash with Fred Sirieix just days into camp saw viewers express their outrage, with more than 800 viewers taking to Ofcom to complain after Nella, 26, branding Fred a 'weirdo' and vowing not to talk to him after he said he was old enough to be her dad.

YouTube star Nella's time in camp saw her face much criticism following her clash with First Dates star Fred, 51, despite the Frenchman making amends with Nella, who sadly lost both her parents in recent years. After Fred left the jungle, he hit out at vile trolls for targeting Nella on social media.

Fred told the Mirror: "I think it is very unfair and very unjust the way she is being treated. I am really totally against it. Nella is a great girl, she is a fun. My children love her, when they found out I was with Nella Rose they were like, you are so lucky. We got on very well.

"There was a misunderstanding, misunderstandings happen all the time but who doesn’t make a mistake. Who doesn’t put his foot in it. Who isn’t wrong at times I don’t have anything against Nella, I saw her when I came out, we had a hug. I really like Nella."

Meanwhile, Fred also clashed with Josie Gibson and other campmates while on the show as he began to infuriate his co-stars over his desire to control things in the kitchen, despite being taken off of camp chef duties.

I’m A Celebrity 2023 is available to watch on ITVX. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on , , , , and .