Tonight, the latest series of ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! reaches its climax, with McFly's Danny Jones, WAG Coleen Rooney, and Reverend Richard Coles battling for the coveted title. This year's camp, noted for its camaraderie and relentless rain, has kept viewers hooked. As we prepare to crown a new monarch, let's journey back through the years and discover what happened to all the previous champions after they left the jungle or castle behind.
Recent Royals: Podcasts, Punditry and Prime Time
The show's influence continues to shape careers long after the final bush tucker trial. Sam Thompson, the 2023 winner and self-proclaimed superfan, saw his profile skyrocket. His podcast with Pete Wicks, 'Staying Relevant', gained a massive listener boost, and ITV bosses were so impressed they invited him back to co-host the 2024 spin-off, 'Unpacked'. He even landed a cameo in the UK version of Inside Out 2.
2022's Queen, football legend Jill Scott, has become a mainstay in sports punditry. Since retiring, she has covered major matches for ITV, captained the England side for Soccer Aid, and appears on the popular 'Stick to Football' podcast. Away from the pitch, she runs a coffee shop in Manchester with her fiancée.
The pandemic-era winners also thrived. Danny Miller (2021) returned briefly to Emmerdale after his castle win, while Giovanna Fletcher (2020) expanded her writing and presenting career, fronting a travel show and starring in the West End.
Love, Scandal and Soap Returns
The jungle has been a backdrop for personal drama as much as professional success. Jacqueline Jossa's 2019 win was overshadowed by rumours about her husband, Dan Osborne. She defiantly cancelled all post-victory interviews but has since rebuilt, moving into a £1.2 million Essex home and launching fashion collections. Excitingly for fans, she is set for a permanent return to EastEnders as Lauren Branning.
Romance has blossomed for several winners. 2017's Queen, Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo, got engaged to BrewDog co-founder James Watt in 2024. Scarlett Moffatt (2016) welcomed her first child and got engaged to policeman Scott Dobinson in 2023. The show's most enduring love story, however, belongs to 2008 winner Joe Swash, who later met and married 2010 champion Stacey Solomon; they now have three children together.
From Career Revivals to Unexpected Twists
For many, the jungle provided a crucial career reset. Former football manager Harry Redknapp (2018) charmed the nation and later released a book about his long marriage. Westlife's Kian Egan (2013) revived his career, returning to the band after their reformation.
Some victories led to unexpected paths. Chef Gino D'Acampo (2009) faced animal cruelty charges for cooking a rat in camp, though charges were later dropped; he is now a TV staple. 2014 winner Carl 'Foggy' Fogarty inadvertently set up his daughter with fellow contestant Jake Quickenden, and his other daughter later appeared on Love Island.
The early winners have seen varied fortunes. The first ever King, Tony Blackburn (2002), was controversially sacked and reinstated by the BBC. Carol Thatcher (2005) lost her BBC role after a racial slur controversy. Kerry Katona (2004) has documented a life of personal struggles and triumphs, including releasing a book about surviving abuse.
From launching national television careers to navigating personal turmoil in the public eye, the journey for an I'm A Celebrity winner is only just beginning when they hear the words "you are the King/Queen of the Jungle". Their stories are a testament to the show's enduring power to transform, challenge, and redefine the lives of those who take on its infamous trials.
