10 December 2023 , 22:49
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Zara McDermott screamed as boyfriend Sam Thompson won I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
Sam 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.
Surrounded by family and friends, Zara uploaded a clip on Sunday night showing her reaction to Sam's big win, breaking down in tears. She penned on Instagram: "The moment we all found out… OUR KING OF THE JUNGLE!!!!!!!"
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."
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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."
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 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.