Featured Image Credit: ITV
Topics: Mental Health, ITV, Im A Celebrity
Rhianna Benson
Last night saw I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! hosts Ant and Dec crown Sam Thompson as their new King of the Jungle.
The 31-year-old Made In Chelsea star narrowly stole the win from fellow finalist, sportsman Tony Bellew, who placed in second, as well as from third place star, ex-politician Nigel Farage.
The vast majority of eliminated contestants previously voted for Sam to take home the jungle crown and sceptre, leading many fans of believe he'd be the likely winner.
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But that didn't stop thousands of ITV viewers pledging their support to professional boxer Tony, who himself had struck up a strong bond with posh boy Sam.
"So glad Nigel didn’t win! I wanted Tony to win, but happy for Sam #imaceleb", one fan wrote on X, formely known as Twitter.
A second went on: "I feel like Tony can’t take losing against anyone or anything, obvs because he’s a boxer, but he is completely okay with losing to Sam. Which is actually so wholesome #ImACeleb".
"I didn’t have ending 2023 saying I literally love and adore Tony Bellew on my bingo card tbh! But here we are! #ImACeleb" a third added.
Despite stealing the hearts of millions of viewers across the UK, since leaving the jungle, Liverpool-lad Tony has admitted there was one point during his stint Down Under when he considered quitting the gruelling reality show.
The champion sportsman, 41, was welcomed at the Marriott Gold Coast Resort upon his exit from the jungle, being met by his wife Rachael, 40, and their children Corey, 18, Cobey, 15, Carter, 11, and Carson, three.
And appearing as a guest on Good Morning Britain this morning, just hours after the finale, the runner-up admitted he struggled somewhat with his mental health on the show.
"I'll never quit no matter how hard it gets," he told viewers.
"It was difficult. I was going through a lot before I went in there with my personal life, losing my nan and I missed my son's birthday which I promised him I'd never do again after I retired."
Tony went on to explain that one of the most difficult moments he endured on the show was when his wife ventured out to surprise him in the camp.
"When Rachael appeared in the jungle it broke me for a good ten minutes. I wanted to walk out and leave with her," he admitted.
"She told me I couldn't. It would have been such a disappointment for the kids. It broke my heart to leave her again. But I was going back to Sam!
"He's an amazing person. Anyone who doesn't love him hasn't got a soul."