I'm A Celeb's Sam Thompson wins ITV show by a HUGE landslide as voting figures are revealed
I'm A Celeb's Sam Thompson was crowned King of the Jungle on Sunday by a landslide, voting figures have revealed.
The former Made in Chelsea star, 31, came out on top with over 50% beating Boxer Tony Bellew, 41, who finished in second place and Nigel Farage, 59, third.
ITV released two sets of figures which showed the percentages for the top three before voting was frozen and later re-opened for the final two.
In the first round Sam raked in 43.35% which was miles out in front of Tony who got 30.87% and Nigel with 25.78%.
Then in the final vote Sam's lead only increased as he bagged 56.64% of viewers votes beating Tony's 43.36% by a whopping 13%.
I'm A Celeb 's Sam Thompson, 31, was crowned King of the Jungle on Sunday by a landslide, viewing figures have revealed.
The MIC star (centre) came out on top with over 50% after Boxer Tony Bellew, 41 (left) finished in second place and Nigel Farage , 59 (right) third
ITV released two sets of figures which showed the percentages for the top three before voting was frozen and later re-opened for the final two
Sam had been the bookies favourite to win for the past couple of weeks after proving popular with ITV viewers.
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'd even be invited on the show. I don't know what to say.'
Asked what he had to say to those who had voted for him, he tearfully said: 'I'm so grateful, thank you so much. I've dreamed of doing this show for years and years and you've made a boy's dream come true.'
Tony wasn't too disappointed to have finished second as he felt his new friend was a more than worthy winner.
He said: '10 days ago, I knew. I knew when I first met him, I've never met a person like him... He deserves it more than anything and I couldn't be happier.'
Sam had been open about being a superfan of the show and admitted it was '100 times' better than he had expected it to be.
Interviewed alongside Tony ahead of 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, times 100 everything, the little moments are the best moments as well.
In the first round Sam raked in 43.35% which was miles out in front of Tony who got 30.87% and Nigel with 25.78%
Then in the final vote Sam's lead only increased as he bagged 56.64% of viewers votes beating Tony's 43.36% by a whopping 13%
'My favourite time in the entire jungle was when Snake Rock came back and we had the entire family back together... The vibe was so amazing and I thought, "I don't think I've ever been as happy as I am now".'
Meanwhile, boxer Tony admitted he had found life in camp 'very, very difficult' so was thankful for his friendships with Sam and JLS singer Marvin Humes.
He said: 'You're alone with your own thoughts and my mind isn't the best, it wasn't easy. It was very very difficult and you think to yourself, "What am I doing here?"
'I definitely think I was put here to be around Sam and get to know him, Marvin was a huge part of it as well, I can't believe he's not sitting here.
Following his win, Sam was reunited with his best pal Pete Wicks, who had flown out to Australia to support him
Sam appeared delighted to be reunited with his friend Pete again
The whole cast turned up to watch Sam be crowned the winner of the show
He said: 'I'm really overwhelmed, I didn't think I'd even be invited on the show. I don't know what to say'
'Everyone was amazing... I know this is called I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! but I'm not one of them, a celebrity, and no one felt like a celebrity, they were just normal.
'It's the first time in my life I've sat with a bunch of strangers and just thought, "You're all sound people".'
Sam is reportedly set to earn millions after catching the attention of TV bosses who are keen to sign him up for projects.
A source told the Daily Star: 'They know Sam is a star.
'The big bosses are all keeping a very close eye on what he does next because they see him as the next big thing.
'The wonderful thing about Sam is he is just unapologetically himself and that’s what people love.
Asked what he had to say to those who had voted for him, he tearfully said: 'I'm so grateful, thank you so much'
'He is set to become a very very rich man when he steps outside that jungle life.
'And not just him, his girlfriend Zara, is expected to do well too, with them seen as the new power couple.'
Following his win, Sam was reunited with his best friend and TOWIE star Pete Wicks, who had flown out to Australia to support him.
Viewers breathed a sigh of relief after Pete managed to stay on his feet when series winner Sam leapt into his arms at the end of the finale episode.
After his interview with Ant and Dec, Sam walked across the rope bridge out of the jungle where he was greeted by his best pal, former The Only Way Is Essex and Staying Relevant podcast co-host Pete, 35.
After setting his eyes on Pete, Sam ran at full speed towards his friend before leaping into the air and throwing himself into his arms while gripping his legs around his waist and shuddering with excitement.
Pete stumbled and was forced to steady himself as he took the full force of reality star Sam throwing himself at him, with fans taking to social media to express their relief that Pete clung onto the bridge's rope to stop himself falling over the edge and plummeting down into the jungle below.
I'm A Celeb viewers breathed a sigh of relief after Pete Wicks managed to stay on his feet when series winner Sam Thompson leapt into his arms at the end of the finale episode on Sunday
Taking to Twitter, one person laughed: 'The end where Pete was like “we’re going to fall off this bridge".'
While someone else noted: 'I was scared one of them was going to go over the side.'
'I thought the Bridge was going to break,' wrote another viewer. 'Congratulations Sam! Love Sam and Pete’s friendship.'
'Jeez, I'm so glad Pete held onto the rails though,' wrote another show fan.
And someone else posted: 'Pete thankfully held the rope.. but wow.'
Pete was there for Sam in lieu of his girlfriend Zara McDermott, who was unable to fly out to support him due to clashing work schedules.
Despite being unable to be there in person, Zara has been sharing her support online as she watched the series play out from home.
Zara shared the moment she discovered Sam had been crowned King Of The Jungle as she hosted a viewing party for his loved ones.
Alongside a video of Sam's family and friends jumping in the air, she wrote: 'The moment we all found out... OUR KING OF THE JUNGLE!!!!'
Alongside a video of Sam's family and friends jumping in the air, she wrote: 'The moment we all found out... OUR KING OF THE JUNGLE!!!!'
Sam pictured with his girlfriend Zara, who was unable to fly out to Australia
Fans of the radio presenter branded him 'the most deserving winner ever', as they took to X - formerly known as Twitter - to share their delight
Fans of the radio presenter branded him 'the most deserving winner ever', as they took to X - formerly known as Twitter - to share their delight.
One person, wrote: 'Well deserved. I am over the moon for you Sam Thompson. You were my King Of The Jungle from the start of the series.'
Another, said: 'Sam's the King Of The Jungle!!! Most deserving winner ever!!!'
A third, wrote: 'Well done Sam! King Of The Jungle. Seeing him reunite with Pete again had me in tears #ImACeleb.'
A different viewer, wrote: 'So happy Sam's King Of The Jungle! Loved Tony and his friendship with Sam but feel the right person won.'
One person sweetly penned: 'Thank you Great Britain for embracing someone who is different but someone who is also brilliant! Sam Thompson deservedly is the King Of The Jungle!'
Earlier in the evening, Nigel Farage was announced to have come third and admitted he was 'absolutely thrilled' to have done so.
He said: 'I'm not surprised [too be third], I'm absolutely thrilled..'
Asked about being a divisive figure, the former politician admitted he hoped he had shown his 'human' side.