Sam Thompson wins I’m A Celebrity 2023 beating Tony Bellew into second place

SAM Thompson has been crowned the winner of I’m A Celebrity 2023.

The former Made In Chelsea star was revealed as the King of the Jungle after a tense finale with controversial politician Nigel Farage and retired boxer Tony Bellew.

In a shock move, Nigel was booted out of the camp in third place.

Despite being the favourite, Sam was visibly shocked when Ant and Dec called his name out in Sunday’s live finale.

He leapt into the arms of runner-up Tony as he was named the winner of I’m A Celebrity.

Speaking to Ant and Dec Sam was overcome with emotion.

He said: “Oh my God. I’m really overwhelmed.

“I didn’t think I was even going to be invited on the show. I don’t know what to say.

“Oh my God. I’m so grateful, thank you so much. I’ve dreamt of doing this show for years and years.

“You’ve made a boy’s dream come true. Thank you.”

The radio presenter was crowned by fellow campmate, This Morning presenter Josie Gibson, who was voted out of the show on Saturday.

Thompson was greeted by his friend and podcast co-host Pete Wicks as he left the jungle in his crown.

His girlfriend, Love Island star Zara McDermott, posted a video to her Instagram which showed jubilant cheers as she and others watched as he was crowned the winner.

Before Sam’s win was announced, Tony told hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly that his fellow finalist was like a “fifth son” to him and added: “I definitely think I was put here to be around Sam.”

Sam said about the show: “The little moments were the best moments, when Snake Rock camp came back and we had everyone back together, the vibe was so amazing and I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy.”

Earlier in the episode, the final three contestants were treated to a slap up meal tonight – after enduring a horrifying final Bushtucker trial.

Boxer Tony was strapped to a giant plate and covered in a variety of jungle critters, forced to stay on for ten minutes to win enough stars.

Reality star Sam then took on a vile eating challenge.

He had to munch his way through a witchetty grub, camel’s toe, a fish eye, a scorpion, a pig’s vagina and a camel’s penis.

Sam managed to swallow it all to win all his stars.

Then former UKIP leader Nigel took on the Panic Pit challenge, where he was placed in a coffin with a number of large snakes.

Nigel successfully completed the challenge and all three men won their full compliment of stars, giving them a slap up meal as a reward.

Tony had a starter of salt and pepper calamari and garlic bread with cheese, a main meal of fillet steak with peppercorn sauce, mash and vegetables and a dessert of treacle sponge with extra thick cream.

He also had a salted caramel milkshake. As a treat Tony had Maltesers.

Sam had a starter of prawns pil pil with bread and salted butter, a main of wagyu steak with bernaise sauce, chips and greens and a dessert of sticky toffee pudding with two scoops of vanilla ice-cream.

He had an oreo milkshake to drink. Sam chose salt and vinegar crisps as his treat. 

Nigel had a starter of tuna sashimi, a main of roasted duck, potatoes and vegetables. And a dessert of apple tart with double cream.

As his drink he had a glass of Australian red wine. Nigel’s treat was some milk chocolate.