Myleene Klass was crowned the first I’m A Celebrity Legend on Friday’s final episode of I’m A Celebrity… South Africa.
The 45-year-old musician and presenter defeated 30-year-old diversity dancer Jordan Banjo after the pair became the final two stars to spend last night at camp.
Former Hear’Say singer Myleene and KISS Breakfast host Jordan, along with Fatima Whitbread, 62, and Phil Tufnell, 57, made it into the series’ Final Four on Thursday’s episode, with Phil voted out of the show’s returning cast and Fatima is leaving after losing the Critter Countdown trial on Friday.
With their former roommates watching, Myleene and Jordan engaged in a grueling last try, predicting how many different evils they could eat before lying down to see if they got it right.
Following her triumph, Myleene – who made her debut on the series in 2006 – was named an “I’m A Celebrity Legend” after the king or queen of the jungle was let down for this spin-off series, the star said : “That was me.” in my element. I can’t believe what the jungle gave me the first time and I actually got the chance to relive it a second time.
Champion: Myleene Klass, 45, was crowned the first I’m A Celebrity Legend on Friday’s final episode of I’m A Celebrity…South Africa
Competition: The musician and presenter beat 30-year-old diversity dancer Jordan Banjo (pictured) after the pair spent last night at camp as the remaining two stars
“It’s one of those things, it was so magical when you first started thinking: did I remember what it was like or did I restore those memories?”
“They say don’t go back to an ex and don’t go back to a reheated dinner.” I was like, ‘Oh no, what if it’s not that good?’ And I went back into the bush and it was still greater, more majestic, greater trials. South Africa is huge.
“And it wasn’t against any roommates, but against the best of the best.”
“It was just amazing.” “Everything was magical, very hard – challenging both mentally and physically – and something I was happy to indulge in.”
However, Myleene said the decision to return to the show was a difficult one, saying it was her children Ava, 15, Hero, 12, and Apollo, 3, who gave her the motivation.
She explained, “It wasn’t an easy decision.” We sat together as a family and it was my kids that made me say yes.
“The first time I wasn’t a mother, so there was no danger if I walked around the jungle in a white bikini for a few weeks. I had the time of my life and I took on a few challenges and then I came out and everyone knew me because I took a shower! It is well known that there are worse things! I had a lot of fun the first time.
“This time I’m a mom and it changes everything.” You don’t want to let your kids down, you don’t want to say anything that will embarrass them. You don’t want to get out of a trial.
Achievement: Former Hear’Say singer Myleene and KISS Breakfast host Jordan, along with Fatima Whitbread and Phil Tufnell, made the series’ Final Four
Delighted: Myleene was spotted smiling as she walked to the boat called Outta Here! to come out of the camp as a winner
Nostalgia: Myleene recreated her famous white bikini shower scenes on her second stint in the jungle
Looking good: Myleene became famous for wearing a white bikini in the shower on the show I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in the Australian jungle in 2006
“I especially wanted to show my girls that my little boy is a little bit young, but my girls are 15 and 12 and we sat down as a family and had an extensive conversation about it.” They both just begged me to do it to do.
“I told them I’ll be as strong as I can be. I wanted to show them and other little girls to keep walking through fire.”
“In the 16 years since I was last in the jungle, I’ve been really tested and I’ve really had to keep my cool.” And that’s exactly what it is, and why I’m A Celebrity is just a phenomenal program, because it will test you on every single level.
“You don’t have your friends and family around you, your moral compass and you have to make your own decisions in everything.” You are so far from home, I missed my kids so much. But they made me a necklace and I just kept it on every exam.”
I wanted to go into the bush to say goodbye and say thank you for what the jungle has given me. The Australian jungle gave me my family, my work and my career. And this time it was just as magical as I remembered. But it was time for me to say thank you and goodbye.
Former pop star Myleene emerged victorious after late entering the camp in South Africa’s Kruger National Park alongside Jordan, former Olympic javelin thrower Fatima, former England cricketer Phil, TV presenter Carol Vorderman, 62, and former Butler of the royal household Paul Burrell (64). Among the participants were actress Helen Flanagan (32) and former soap star Dean Gaffney (45).
This series also starred former EastEnders cast member Joe Swash, 41, supermodel Janice Dickinson, 68, Coronation Street star Andy Whyment, 42, former Made In Chelsea star Georgia Toffolo, 28, former professional boxer Amir Khan, 36, TV nutritionist Gillian auf McKeith, 63, and Happy Mondays singer Shaun Ryder, 60.
The show’s bosses didn’t make it easy for their roommates Myleene and Jordan when they took the ultimate food test, with Ant noting, “If you do that, you deserve to be crowned the first-ever Legend of I’m A Celeb!”
With their former housemates watching, the two stars were shown the jungle baddies they would eat, with the stars stating the number of each item they thought they could eat in five minutes.
Number one, the star wore her crown and scepter while standing on the boat, holding a glass of champagne in the other hand
Making history: Instead of Myleene being crowned Queen of the Jungle at the end of the three-week competition, she was crowned I’m A Celebrity Legend
The celebrity who chose the highest number then attempted to eat their chosen amount within the allotted time.
If they succeeded, they got a point. However, if they couldn’t take it and failed, their opponent got a point.
In the fight, the last two campmates took on nine dishes – including fermented eggs and mouse tails – to see who emerged victorious.
At the beginning of the episode, Myleene, Jordan, and Fatima faced a challenge to decide who would make the top two.
The trio faced a challenge that required them to be able to count up to six minutes while withstanding a slew of creatures.
They were all seated in a contraption with feet in boxes, hands in hellholes, and heads in helmets.
Their feet were surrounded by vicious green ants, while cockroaches and crickets surrounded their hands, and they faced snakes of various sizes in their helmets.
The three celebrities were tasked with buzzing their buzzers after six minutes had elapsed.
Myleene and Jordan advanced to the finals when they came closest to six minutes while Fatima was sent home.
Grueling: In front of their former roommates, Myleene and Jordan went head-to-head in a grueling final trial
Disgusting: Myleene and Jordan took part in a gruesome final trial in which they predicted how many different nasties they could eat
Tough process: The couple were observed struggling to see if their prediction in the process was correct
Vomiting: In the battle, the last two campmates had to contend with nine dishes – including fermented eggs and mouse tails – to see who emerged victorious
The fight: At the beginning of the episode, Myleene, Jordan and Fatima Whitbread had to face a challenge to decide who would make the top two
Endurance: The trio faced a challenge that required them to be able to count for up to six minutes while withstanding a slew of creatures
Farewell: Myleene and Jordan advanced to the final when they came closest to six minutes while Fatima was sent home
That comes after there was a surprise turn on Thursday when all of the previously eliminated teammates returned to decide the fate of the last four.
The returning stars had to choose the three people they wanted to send to the finals while deciding on one person to send home, with Phil being nominated.
Upon leaving, he said, “I couldn’t think of a better three to get through… I absolutely love my time at camp… It’s just the best vacation I’ve ever had.”
When Myleene found out she’d made the final three, she was seen in tears on the Bush Telegraph, saying, “My kids are going to be so happy.”
I’m a celebrity… The South African bosses ditched the male and female gender categories “Jungle King” and “Jungle King” for the spin-off series.
But instead of the winner being a king or queen of the jungle at the end of the three-week competition, he was crowned an I’m A Celebrity Legend.
Brutal: There was a surprise twist in Thursday’s episode when all the previously eliminated teammates returned to decide the fate of the last four (left to right: last four Jordan, Fatima, Myleene and Phil Tufnell).
End of the road: The returning stars had to choose the three people they wanted to send to the finals while deciding on one to send home, with Phil being nominated
A statement from ITV said: “Without a public vote, they will compete to become the first ever ‘I’m A Celebrity Legend’.”
The change was made for the first time in 21 years before the all-stars version came out on ITV.
The show was taped in South Africa’s Kruger National Park in September last year and the first episode aired last month.
Watch the full series of I’m A Celebrity…South Africa! via ITVX.
Spin-off: The show was taped in South Africa’s Kruger National Park in September last year and the first episode aired last month