I’m A Celebrity star Phil Tufnell appeared to shadow co-stars Myleene Klass and Fatima Whitbread in Friday’s final episode.
The 57-year-old England cricketer got honest during an interview and spoke about his fellow campers after his departure – but didn’t mention Myleene or Fatima.
Phil, who was sent home in the final episode, praised most of his co-stars as he detailed how they got on with the others in the jungle.
He said he hit it off immediately with English songwriter Shaun Ryder.
“He said we would tour with him with The Happy Mondays. Crikey, maybe I’ll just go for a few nights.
Feud? I’m A Celebrity star Phil Tufnell appeared to shadow co-stars Myleene Klass (pictured) and Fatima Whitbread in the final episode
Speech: The 57-year-old English cricketer got honest in an interview and spoke about his fellow campers when he left – but forgot to mention the two names in his speech
“I became very close to Dean and Joe. Great boys, they came bouncing like bouncy balls. Just full of life. And also Jordan, or the Biggun as I call him,” he added.
The cricket star claimed he hit it off with everyone on the reality show but purposely omitted the names of Myleene and Fatima.
“Toff was great fun. Carol was beautiful and reserved. “Amir’s a great boy, what a top block he is,” said Phil.
“Janice is absolutely lovely – and wild – damn, there aren’t many Janices in the world.”
The jock was particularly fond of 60-year-old Shaun, who made a hilarious comparison between him and Star Wars character Yoda.
“I mean, an absolute legend and we’re just having a lot of fun,” he said.
Phil said the pair spent a lot of time in the jungle chatting about a variety of topics – from pain to cooking pans.
He added, “He makes me laugh and I think he looks like Yoda, especially with that cane.”
‘You know, the little guy with the burlap cape in Star Wars, with the cane and the ears.’ I guess he’ll start levitating soon, haha.’
On reality: Phil – who was sent home in the last episode – praised most of his co-stars while detailing how they got on with the others in the jungle
Shadow: The cricket star claimed he got along with everyone on the reality show but purposely omitted the names of Fatima (pictured) and Myleene, hinting at a possible feud
Hilarious: The jock was particularly fond of 60-year-old Shaun as he made a hilarious comparison between him and Star Wars character Yoda
Friends: Phil said he and Shaun spent a lot of time in the jungle chatting about everything from pain to cooking pans
Ultimately, Mylenee was crowned the first “I’m A Celebrity Legend” when she won “I’m A Celebrity…South Africa” in Friday’s final episode.
The musician and presenter hit diversity dancer Jordan Banjo, 30, after the pair became the last two stars to spend last night at camp.
Former Hear’Say singer Myleene and KISS Breakfast host Jordan joined Fatima in making the series’ Final Four.
Meanwhile, Phil was voted out of the show’s returning cast and Fatima left the series after losing the Critter Countdown trial.
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 first appeared on the series in 2006 – was named “I’m A Celebrity Legend” after the king or queen of the jungle was abandoned for this spin-off series.
Myleene said, “I was in my element.” I can’t believe what the jungle gave me the first time, and I actually got a chance to relive it a second time.
“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.
“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.”
She added: “I wanted to go into the bush to say goodbye and say thank you for what the jungle has given me.” The jungle in Australia 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.”
Winner! Mylenee Klass was crowned the first “I’m A Celebrity Legend” when she won “I’m A Celebrity…South Africa” in Friday’s final episode
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
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
Comeback: Coming in second and returning to the show for the second time, Jordan said, ‘It was on a different level.’ I’ve had such a better time’
Hard time: “I can’t lie, I’ve had a bad time.” But it wasn’t all good. I had to eat penis or whatever! But overall it was a great experience,” he said
Disgusting: Myleene and Jordan took part in a gruesome final trial in which they predicted how many different nasties they could eat
Coming in second and returning to the show for the second time, Jordan said, “It was on a different level.” I had such a much better time.
“Everyone was nice the first time, but I just don’t think I was quite ready for it.” The first few days in Australia were a bit of a shock. This time, on the other hand, I just threw myself head first into trials, challenges, whatever it was.
“I can’t lie, I’ve had a bad time.” But it wasn’t all good. I had to eat penis or whatever! But overall it was a great experience.”
On his return, he said, “I wanted to try again.” The main reason was that I was a bit disappointed when I did it the first time.
“The only thing I was upset about was that I didn’t do my best the first time.” It’s only when you exit the jungle that you really realize how unique the experience is.
“Generally speaking, you never get another chance to do something like that.” So when it turned out that I had another chance to try, I figured I’d be in and I’d do my best this time. Even if it’s tough. I just wanted to do it for my own peace of mind.
“Every time someone mentioned ‘I’m a celebrity’ the first time, I felt a little guilty. I would think yes I did. But there’s doing and then doing. The first time I did a few tries and then I tried to sneak away because I was like, please don’t pick me. This time I felt like I wanted to get stuck. And so did I. I felt really good about it. I was actually buzzing.’
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).
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.
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
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.
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.
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.