Zara McDermott has shared her sweet reaction to boyfriend Sam Thompson winning I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! 2023.
The former Made In Chelsea star, 31, was crowned King of the Jungle on Sunday night, followed by boxing legend Tony Bellew in second and Nigel Farage in third.
After proving popular with ITV viewers, he had been the bookmakers' favorite to win for weeks, but in a final episode that included a final tough trial and the campmates' last meal, he still gave it all win.
Zara – who didn't fly to Australia herself – hosted a viewing party for the finale along with all of Sam's friends and family.
Wearing a party hat with Sam's face on it, she excitedly told her 1.9 million Instagram users: “We made everything Sam themed!”
Zara McDermott has shared her sweet reaction to boyfriend Sam Thompson winning I'm A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! 2023
Former Made In Chelsea star Sam, 31, was crowned king of the jungle on Sunday night
The reality star shared the exact moment she heard Ant and Dec announce Sam as the winner as she immediately started jumping up and down and screaming with joy.
Zara rushed to hug Sam's mother Karen, while Sam's sister Louise and her son Leo were also overjoyed.
Likewise, Sam jumped into the arms of runner-up Tony when hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly announced the results, before admitting he was “overwhelmed”.
He said: “I'm really overwhelmed, I didn't think I would even be invited onto the show. 'I don't know what to say.'
Asked what he had to say to those who voted for him, he said through tears: “I'm so grateful, thank you so much.” I've dreamed of doing this show for years and you have a boy's dream made true.
Tony wasn't too disappointed to come second as he felt his new friend was a more than worthy winner.
He said: “Ten days ago I knew. 'When I first met him I knew I had never met anyone like him… He deserved it more than anything and I couldn't be happier.'
Sam had openly said he was a superfan of the show and admitted it was “100 times” better than he expected.
Zara – who didn't fly to Australia herself – hosted a viewing party for the finale along with all of Sam's friends and family
Sam was crowned King of the Jungle when he defeated Tony Bellew, who came in second place
Sam jumped into runner-up Tony's arms as hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly announced the results, before admitting he was “overwhelmed”.
In an interview with Tony before the result, he was asked if it had lived up to his expectations and said: “It did so much more, I've never been so shocked in my life, 100 times everything, the little moments are the best. “ Moments too.
“My favorite time in the entire jungle was when Snake Rock came back and we had the whole family together again…The mood was so great and I thought, 'I don't think I've ever been happier than I am now.' Now.' '
Meanwhile, boxer Tony admitted he found life in the camp “very, very difficult” and was grateful for his friendships with Sam and JLS singer Marvin Humes.
After his win, Sam was reunited with his best friend and TOWIE star Pete Wicks, who had flown to Australia to support him.
Pete was there for Sam in place of his girlfriend Zara McDermott, who was unable to fly to support him due to conflicting work schedules.
Although Zara couldn't be with them in person, she shared her support online while watching the series from home.
Last month Zara revealed that Pete would be leaving in her place despite being off due to her early exit from Strictly Come Dancing.
The 26-year-old influencer told Fleur East on the Hits Radio Breakfast Show: “When I left Strictly I thought: 'Should I pack my suitcase?'” and he said: “Oh no, it's already arranged for Pete to come .”
After his win, Sam reunited with his best mate Pete Wicks, who had flown to Australia to support him
Sam and Tony had developed a close bond during their life together in the jungle
Sam pictured with his girlfriend Zara, who couldn't fly to Australia
She continued: “When I suggested that maybe Pete and I could both go, he said, 'No, just Pete!' Maybe I can get Pete to make a cardboard cutout of me… But you know, that's fine , absolutely OK.
“I have all the time in the world to live with him and see him. “If he wants Pete at the end of that bridge, I respect and appreciate that – and I can't wait to see that hug!”
Zara became the first former Love Island star to compete on Strictly Come Dancing and was eliminated in week six.
Her early exit meant she was effectively finished. At the same time, Sam, who had bet that she would still be in the competition, flew to Australia for his own reality TV adventure.
Speaking to breakfast hosts Fleur East and James Barr, he said: “When they asked [me to go into the jungle] I thought if Zara was still on Strictly I'd be a bad boyfriend if I left – but then I decided I had to do it!'
This decision made him doubt whether he would even have a girlfriend at the end of the three-week competition.
He said: “It turns out she’s leaving Strictly at the exact moment I’m joining.”
“But because I thought she was still doing Strictly, Pete’s [Wicks] come with me!' he admitted.
Zara said she was “so proud” of Sam and his “personal development”
“I don’t know if I’ll end up with a girlfriend…”
Earlier this week, Zara said she was “so proud” of Sam for his “personal development” on the show.
The 26-year-old former Love Island star said: “There are so many beautiful things that come with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder),” as she spoke about his time in the jungle.
Zara spoke to presenters Rylan Clark and Emma Willis on Thursday's This Morning alongside Dr. Nighat on the Made In Chelsea star's time in camp.
She said: “I just look forward to sitting down and watching I'm A Celeb every day. It is simply the absolute highlight of my day.
“I think he's grown a lot since being a 'Big Brother' star, you know, he's 31 now and he's come such a long way in his personal development and I think it's made everyone so proud to see him openly to see him talk about his ADHD.”
“I think it's so difficult to talk openly about it because along with ADHD there are so many personal issues and a lot of self-confusion, but there are so many beautiful things that come with ADHD and I think we have that in the jungle seen.” .
“Any type of neurodivergence is highly stigmatized. It's really difficult to talk about because in some ways it's this feeling of anomaly like, 'Why am I not like other people?', but actually it's such a beautiful thing.”
The former Love Island star said: “There are so many beautiful things that come with ADHD” as she spoke about his time in the jungle