As the final of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! 2025 airs tonight, the long-running ITV reality juggernaut prepares to crown its latest champion. Hosted by the inimitable Ant and Dec, the show has been a staple of British television since its debut in 2002, captivating millions with its bush tucker trials and campfire dramas.
A Look Back at the Jungle Royalty
The very first series in 2002 saw radio legend Tony Blackburn emerge victorious. At 61, he triumphed over fellow finalists Tara Palmer-Tomkinson and Christine Hamilton, drawing an average audience of 7.58 million viewers. The show's popularity skyrocketed, and by 2004, it was ITV's biggest programme. That year, Kerry Katona made history by becoming the first 'Queen of the Jungle', just six months after the previous season.
The mid-2000s saw a trend of music stars claiming the crown. Busted's Matt Willis won in 2006, while Joe Swash, then best known for EastEnders, won in 2008. His victory led to a lasting role with the show, presenting its 'Extra Camp' spin-off for nearly a decade. In a charming twist, his future wife, Stacey Solomon, was crowned Queen in 2010.
Modern Champions and Unprecedented Changes
Geordie Shore's Vicky Pattison took the title in 2015, becoming the first Queen since Charlie Brooks in 2012. The show faced its biggest upheaval in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, relocating from Australia to a Welsh castle. This didn't stop Giovanna Fletcher from earning the title 'Queen of the Castle', becoming the second winner linked to McFly.
Most recently, in 2024, McFly singer Danny Jones won the public vote. He beat stiff competition from Reverend Richard Coles and Coleen Rooney in the final. His win came over a decade after his bandmate Dougie Poynter's own jungle victory. However, Jones's post-win period was marred by a kiss scandal that required a public apology, adding a controversial footnote to his triumph.
The 2025 series, featuring stars like rapper Aitch, Angry Ginge, and Lisa Riley, now concludes, ready to add another name to this eclectic list of winners who have endured the jungle's ultimate test.
