But Matt Hancock finally left the jungle as he came in third place and became the ninth celebrity to be eliminated in the much-anticipated grand final.
The former Health Secretary, 44, came in runner-up during Sunday’s grand finale episode, with Jill Scott and Owen Warner still in the running for the Jungle crown.
Final: He defied all odds and surprised viewers by making it to the I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! final on Sunday
He lasted an impressive 21 days in the jungle, and took part in his final gruesome Bushtucker Trial before his exit in the final – narrowly missing being crowned as Jungle King.
Earlier in Sunday’s grand finale episode, Matt was forced to face one last gruelling challenge before finding out who will be crowned Jungle King or Queen.
The former Health Secretary, 44, was joined by fellow finalists Jill Scott and Owen Warner in taking part in their individual final Bushtucker Trials.
For the first time in the show’s history, the stars were forced to compete for stars in front of their fellow campmates in the final, which producers hope will add increased tension among the finalists.
Farewell: But Matt Hancock finally left the jungle as he came in third place and became the ninth celebrity to be eliminated in the much-anticipated grand final
They were each forced to take on a gruesome challenge to win an epic final meal together in camp, consisting of a three-course banquet with a starter, main, and dessert.
But it proved no easy feat as they had to either take on Flood Your Face, Bushtucker Bonanza, a second instalment of the show’s iconic eating trial, or Rat Race, which featured thousands of bugs in a box.
And unlucky Matt was chosen for the dreaded Flood Your Face trial, where he had to have his head submerged in a clear container filled with water as critters crawled over his face.
Missed the crown: The former Health Secretary, 44, came in runner-up during Sunday’s grand finale episode, with Jill Scott and Owen Warner still in the running for the Jungle crown
Oh no! The former Health Secretary, 44, was joined by fellow finalists Jill Scott and Owen Warner in taking part in their individual final Bushtucker Trials
Explaining the trial, Declan Donnelly said: ‘You’ll sit in here with your head in the tank which will fill with water. You’ll have a snorkel to breathe through and you’ll stay in there for five minutes.
‘You’ll win a star for each minute you endure. It’s pretty straightforward, apart from the fact that this is a Bushtucker Trial so there will be some surprises along the way in that five minutes.’
Meanwhile, Ant McPartlin added: ‘The first three stars are for your three desserts, the fourth is for your drink and the fifth is for your treat.’
As Matt’s tank began to fill up with water, various terrifying critters were also added to the box, including eels, yabbies and water spiders.
Critters: As Matt’s tank began to fill up with water, various terrifying critters were also added to the box, including eels, yabbies and water spiders
The gruesome trial saw a frog sit on top of Matt’s head while a massive spider also crawled over his face in one very scary moment.
Jill encouraged him: ‘Well in Matt, you’re doing great!’
Although Matt looked very uneasy at moments, he bravely gave his fellow finalists and hosts Ant and Dec a thumbs-up as he braved the trial.
The Tory MP managed to secure all of his stars during the five-minute challenge, adding to the epic feast for himself and his fellow finalists back in main camp.
Bravo! The Tory MP managed to secure all of his stars during the five-minute challenge, adding to the epic feast for himself and his fellow finalists back in main camp
Owen, who has complained about his hunger during the series, took on the dreaded final eating trial, while Jill braved Rat Race – and they both won all their stars.
Earlier in Sunday’s episode, Matt had shared his shock that he had made it to the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! final alongside Owen and Jill.
He admitted he was thrilled to become a finalist after Mike Tindall was the eighth celebrity to be eliminated from the Aussie jungle in Saturday’s episode.
The politician said it was ‘unreal’ and he was ‘so grateful’ to have made it down to the last three as he joined Hollyoaks star Owen and Lionness Jill in voicing their shock.
Speaking in the Bush Telegraph after Mike’s exit, Matt said: ‘I can’t believe I’m in the final. It’s brilliant… I’m just so grateful.’
Gross! Owen, who has complained about his hunger during the series, took on the dreaded final eating trial, while Jill braved Rat Race – and they both won all their stars
Meanwhile, Owen, 23, said: ‘I’m in the final baby! What is going on? I don’t know what to say, I don’t know what to think… I want to speak to my mum.’
After waving Mike off, the finalists all shared a group hug as they celebrated making it into the 2022 final.
Matt said: ‘That is unreal!’
While a shocked Jill, 35, added: ‘I need to just sit down.’
In the Bush Telegraph, former footballer Jill admitted she never thought she would make it ‘anywhere near’ the final after seeing which celebrities were in camp.
‘When I first stepped into the jungle and looked around at all of the celebrities, no way am I getting anywhere near that final,’ she said.
‘To be part of the final three with Owen and Matt, god, it just means the world, it really does.’
Ahead of their Bushtucker Trials, Matt said he was ‘delighted’ to be in the final, while Jill said she was still ‘in shock’ over making it so far in the contest.
Dec said: ‘Congratulations on making it to the final.’
Influence: It comes after Mike accused fellow campmate Matt of attempting to sway the public vote by placing his name-printed clothing in shot of the camp cameras
A shocked Jill replied: ‘Just in shock to be honest. I can’t believe we’re in the final, I’ve watched it since being a little kid. I’m still in shock to be honest.’
While Owen said: ‘It feels a little bit mad to be honest.’
And Matt added: ‘I can’t believe it. I’m just delighted. I’m very grateful.’
But on Saturday, Mike appeared skeptical of Matt’s surprise as he accused him of attempting to sway the public vote by placing his name-printed clothing in shot of the camp cameras.
Amusing: Each campmate has their name and voting lines printed on the back of their jackets and T-shirts, with Mike claiming Matt was making these more visible to the cameras
Unimpressed? On Saturday’s episode, rugby pro quipped that Matt ‘clearly wants to win’, while claiming that the Tory MP was ‘polling for votes’ in a bid to be crowned King Of The Jungle
The former rugby pro joked that Matt ‘clearly wants to win’, while claiming that the Tory MP was ‘polling for votes’ in a bid to be crowned King Of The Jungle.
Each campmate has their name and voting lines printed on the back of their jackets and T-shirts, with Mike claiming Matt was making these more visible to the cameras.
Talking in the Bush Telegraph, he said: ‘Matt’s making sure his t-shirt and his phone numbers are on display at all times. Matt clearly wants to win.’
Mike was seen turning the MP’s belongings over other way around, adding to the camera: ‘I’m taking great pleasure in turning it around every time he leaves camp.’
Exit: Mike later became the eighth star to be eliminated from I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in Saturday night’s episode, ahead of the much-anticipated grand finale
‘Once a politician, always a politician. Always polling for votes,’ added the sportsman.
Mike later became the eighth star to be eliminated from I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in Saturday night’s episode, ahead of the much-anticipated grand finale.
The former rugby player, 44, was greeted by his wife Zara, the niece of King Charles – the first royal to visit the jungle to greet a departing star – as he left the camp in Australia’s Queensland.
Zara had been missing from the ranks of friends and family who arrived in the Gold Coast two weeks ago, but the late Queen’s granddaughter had made the 9000-mile trip to support Mike before he missed out on securing a place in the final.
Reunited: The former rugby player, 44, was greeted by his wife Zara, the niece of King Charles – the first royal to visit the jungle to greet a departing star – as he left the camp
I’M A CELEBRITY 2022: THE FULL LINEUP
BOY GEORGE
BOY GEORGE
AGE: 61
CLAIM TO FAME: Legendary pop star
PHOBIAS: Being scared
MISSING ANY BIG OCCASIONS? No, I am going straight into the jungle from playing at various festivals and gigs
ROLE IN THE CAMP: In-house dietician reassuring everyone that they will be ok on the jungle diet. And entertainer – I will sing!
BEST ATTRIBUTE: I am a very positive person and I don’t bear any grudges
DREAM CAMPMATE: It would be funny if my ex, Jon Moss, comes on the programme -but I don’t think that will happen!
CHRIS MOYLES
CHRIS MOYLES
AGE: 48
CLAIM TO FAME: Radio DJ
PHOBIAS: I am petrified of heights. I ended up carrying the bags when we took my girlfriend’s niece once to Go Ape as I am so petrified!
MISSING ANY BIG OCCASIONS? A friend’s birthday, a wedding, and Leeds United matches
ROLE IN THE CAMP: Entertainer. Hopefully I can help shorten everyone’s boredom.
BEST ATTRIBUTE: Hiding food! I am going to fly out early and sneak into the jungle and hide pot noodles everywhere, then I will be everyone’s best friend!
DREAM CAMPMATE: Ant and Dec…let’s see how they cope for 24 hours!
SUE CLEAVER
SUE CLEAVER
AGE: 59
CLAIM TO FAME: Playing Eileen Grimshaw in Coronation Street
PHOBIAS: Don’t be ridiculous! I am not going to admit to what I fear most!
MISSING ANY BIG OCCASIONS? Coronation Street and we are expecting another grandchild any day, so hopefully it will arrive before I fly out to Australia.
ROLE IN THE CAMP: I will be more of a mum – that is where I will naturally fit.
BEST ATTRIBUTE: I can cook and I am a good listener, so hopefully I will be a friendly ear for everyone.
DREAM CAMPMATE: Good Morning Britain’s Richard Arnold. He is my TV husband and it would be lovely to have an ally in camp!
SCARLETTE DOUGLAS
SCARLETTE DOUGLAS
AGE: 35
CLAIM TO FAME: Presenter of A Place In The Sun
PHOBIAS: Spiders. There is no point in lying about it! I’ve got an irrational fear about them
MISSING ANY BIG OCCASIONS? Just a holiday which I can postpone
ROLE IN THE CAMP: Mum, cook and morale booster. I always like to look at the positive side in life
BEST ATTRIBUTE: I can cook and I will be good at making sure everything is tidy in camp
DREAM CAMPMATE: Mo Gilligan. He is hilarious and I totally fancy him!
BABATÚNDÉ ALÉSHÉ
BABATÚNDÉ ALÉSHÉ
AGE: 36
CLAIM TO FAME: Comedian
PHOBIAS: I am scared of absolutely everything. Snakes, rats – I am fearful of them all and I am dreading the trials
MISSING ANY BIG OCCASIONS? I was going on tour but we’ve postponed it now until next year
ROLE IN THE CAMP: Tension breaker. If I can break tension anywhere it starts up in the camp, then I will do that. We don’t need to be bickering as it will be a first-time experience for everyone
BEST ATTRIBUTE: Hopefully I will bring some humour to the camp
DREAM CAMPMATE: I am a big Arsenal fan and so any ex-Arsenal player would be great. I am looking forward to chatting to Ant & Dec about football
SEANN WALSH
SEANN WALSH
AGE: 36
CLAIM TO FAME: Comedian
PHOBIAS: I am not too pleased about rats being in there but I am just trying to pretend it is not happening!
MISSING ANY BIG OCCASIONS? No, I am really looking forward to taking part in this show
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION YOU WANT TO DISPEL IN THE JUNGLE: People have voiced their feelings about me and I am hoping they will see I am very different. I want to create new memories
ROLE IN THE CAMP: I am a great listener. I can’t cook but if someone would like to teach me, then I will give it a go
BEST ATTRIBUTE: I don’t want to put myself down but if my friends were to answer this question, they would say there isn’t much Seann can do! I am not really bringing too much to the table which is why I am a good listener!
DREAM CAMPER: Lee Evans, anyone from Blink-182 or Boy George. My mum took me to see him at Wembley and he wore a satellite dish as a hat!
MIKE TINDALL
MIKE TINDALL
AGE: 44
CLAIM TO FAME: Rugby Union player and married to Princess Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall
PHOBIAS: I haven’t admitted to having any phobias but in a weird way, I am looking forward to taking part in the trials!
MISSING ANY BIG OCCASIONS? My podcast series and the rugby Internationals this autumn
ROLE IN THE CAMP: Morning motivator. I would like to see everyone get on well and us all have a great experience
BEST ATTRIBUTE: I am a positive person
DREAM CAMPMATE: Samuel L Jackson would be cool. He has lived the life!
OWEN WARNER
OWEN WARNER
AGE: 23
CLAIM TO FAME: Playing Romeo Nightingale in Hollyoaks
PHOBIAS: Snakes!
MISSING ANY BIG OCCASIONS? I am a big fan of football so I will miss watching the start of the World Cup
ROLE IN THE CAMP: Entertainer and games coordinator
BEST ATTRIBUTE: It is definitely not my cooking skills or brains!
DREAM CAMPMATE: Any of the Leicester City starting 11!
CHARLENE WHITE
CHARLENE WHITE
AGE: 42
CLAIM TO FAME: ITV newsreader and Loose Women anchor
PHOBIAS: I am not sure what my fear factor will be because I’ve never had rodents, spiders and snakes crawling all over me!
MISSING ANY BIG OCCASIONS? My children’s annual school ball which I am gutted about
ROLE IN THE CAMP: Mum and cook. I don’t mind falling into that position
BEST ATTRIBUTE: I like to listen and talk. I love learning about people and I have a natural curiosity for people
DREAM CAMPMATE: Colin Murray and Richard Osman
JILL SCOTT
JILL SCOTT
AGE: 35
CLAIM TO FAME: Retired England Lioness
PHOBIAS: I don’t like rats and the thought of being underground fills me with fear!
MISSING ANY BIG OCCASIONS? The Men’s World Cup. I am going to find it weird not being able to know how the men are getting on in the tournament. Hopefully they will still be in the tournament when I come out of the jungle
ROLE IN THE CAMP: Helping hand. I like to help people if they aren’t having a good day
BEST ATTRIBUTE: Hard worker. I will always find a way to add value. I am also very honest
DREAM CAMPMATE: Another sports person would be great as it would be someone to bounce ideas off.
OLIVIA ATTWOOD
OLIVIA ATTWOOD – EXITED THE SHOW
AGE: 31
CLAIM TO FAME: Love Island star
PHOBIAS: I hate the dark so I’m keen to avoid any challenges in the darkness
MISSING ANY BIG OCCASIONS? No, had the show been on air any later, I could have missed my sister’s wedding
ROLE IN THE CAMP: Clown. I was always the class clown at school and I love having a laugh
BEST ATTRIBUTE: I don’t take myself seriously and I have got a good sense of humour
DREAM CAMPMATE: A pop legend like Dolly Parton who has amazing stories to tell
MATT HANCOCK
MATT HANCOCK
AGE: 44
CLAIM TO FAME: Politician
PHOBIAS: Snakes. I don’t thankfully suffer from claustrophobia –or I think I don’t!
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION YOU WANT TO DISPEL IN THE JUNGLE: Politicians are people too and it will be nice for people to see me as me. We are human too
ROLE IN THE CAMP: I like to muck in, and I think I will be collecting a lot of firewood. I like cooking too
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