Angry Ginge Forced to Return I'm a Celebrity Crown Ahead of Sidemen Charity Match
Social media influencer Angry Ginge, whose real name is Morgan Burtwistle, has disclosed that he was not permitted to retain the floral crown and wooden sceptre awarded to him after winning I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in December. This revelation comes as he prepares to participate in the highly anticipated Sidemen Charity Match this weekend at Wembley Stadium.
No Keepsakes from the Jungle Victory
Angry Ginge triumphed in the ITV reality show with an impressive 65 per cent of the public vote, defeating runner-up Tom Read Wilson, who received 35 per cent. However, following in the footsteps of previous winners, he was required to surrender his prizes. Former winner Sam Thompson confirmed this practice, stating on ITV's This Morning that he had to return the sceptre and was left with no mementos from his victory.
"I didn't get to keep anything. They wouldn't let me keep anything," Thompson explained. "I had to give the sceptre back. I really wanted to bring it through airport security because it's quite big. I don't have anything to show for it."
Financial Aspects and Motivations
Contestants on I'm a Celebrity do not receive a monetary prize for winning; instead, they are paid appearance fees based on their celebrity status. Reports indicate that Angry Ginge earned approximately £100,000 for his participation, while other contestants have commanded fees as high as £1 million. Despite this, Angry Ginge emphasized that his motivation was not financial or fame-driven.
"I didn't do it to become King [of the Jungle]. I did it for the experience," he said, highlighting his focus on personal growth rather than material rewards.
Preparations for the Sidemen Charity Match
Angry Ginge will join the YouTubers Allstars team in the Sidemen Charity Match on Saturday, facing off against Sidemen FC at Wembley. In a significant change for this year's event, Sidemen members will be split across both teams for the first time, meaning prominent figures like KSI, Miniminter, and Behzinga will wear the YouTubers' jersey. Last year's match ended in a thrilling 9-9 draw, with the YouTubers securing victory on penalties.
The 2025 charity match raised £4.7 million for various causes, including Children in Need, underscoring the event's philanthropic impact. However, this year's lineup will see notable absences, as Logan Paul and iShowSpeed will be participating in WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas instead.
Match Details and Viewing Information
Kick-off at Wembley is scheduled for 3pm UK time, and the match will be streamed free of charge on the Sidemen YouTube channel. This provides fans with an accessible way to support the charitable efforts while enjoying the spectacle of influencers and content creators competing on the pitch.
Angry Ginge's journey from jungle champion to charity football participant illustrates the evolving roles of digital influencers in entertainment and philanthropy, blending reality TV success with community-driven initiatives.
