I’m a Celebrity past winners: Where are the former Kings and Queens of the Jungle now? A look at where they ended up – from Jill Scott and Kerry Katona to Margaret Thatcher’s daughter Carol
- READ MORE: Meet the I’m A Celeb 2023 campmates!
I’m A Celebrity returns to TV screens tonight for its hotly-anticipated 23rd series.
Those set to enter the jungle this year include the likes of UKIP’s Nigel Farage, This Morning’s Josie Gibson and Marvin Humes from JLS.
After bidding farewell to their cushty showbiz lives, they will endure tough Bushtucker Trials, countless creepy crawlies and constant mockery by presenters Ant and Dec.
After adjusting to life in the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Australian jungle, famous faces including Vicky Pattinson, Harry Redknapp and Dougie Poynter went on to win over the hearts of the nation and bag the coveted King or Queen title.
Some have reached new heights of success since their time on the show with TV deals galore – but others have faded into obscurity.
The fates of some former contestants may surprise you – but can you remember all the past winners?
Here, MailOnline reveals what the past Kings and Queens of the Jungle have got up to since winning the show.
One to watch: The full lineup for I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 2023 has been unveiled
Dynamic duo: The 10 celebrities will be seen for the first time on Sunday night’s launch show when they meet Ant and Dec (pictured) and prepare to kick off three weeks of living with creepy crawlies and Bushtucker Trials
2002: TONY BLACKBURN
Veteran DJ Tony Blackburn was joined around the camp fire by eight C-list contestants, including spoon-bender Uri Geller, theatre star Darren Day and model Nell McAndrew, during the I’m A Celebrity debut series.
Alongside socialite Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, the 80-year-old disc jockey took part in the most number of trials and accrued a total of 12 out of a possible 15 food stars during his Pass The Snakes, Can You Cross It and The Bug Bog challenges.
Nearly 11 million people tuned in to see the Surrey-based father-of-two be crowned King Of The Jungle. On his win Tony – who was dubbed ‘Mr Nice’ during his stint on the show – told Daily Telegraph: ‘It changed me. ‘I learnt I had an inner strength I didn’t know I possessed.’
After his appearance it was pretty much business as usual for Tony. He went back to the radio to host Pick Of The Pops on BBC Radio 2.
In June 2022 his BBC radio show was moved from Saturdays to Sundays – in one of many cases that saw the Beeb hit by claims of ‘ageism’.
This year he launched channel That 60s, which focuses on 1960s music.
However, the star also suffered a major health scare when he was hospitalised for sepsis and pneumonia.
Winner! Tony Blackburn became the first King Of The Jungle in 2002
Scary times: Tony experienced a major health scare this year after being hospitalised with sepsis
2003: PHIL TUFNELL
While celebrity chef Anthony Worrall Thompson, singer Toyah Wilcox and Eastenders actress Daniella Westbrook were kicking up a fuss over the tiny food rations, ex-cricketer Phil Tufnell was busy winning over the public with his happy-go-lucky attitude.
Game-for-anything Phil, 57, threw himself into Bushtucker Trials – eating meal worms, a moth pupa and even a beetle larva wrapped in dried dung – so his camp mates could enjoy some decent food.
The mild-mannered sportsman beat footballer-turned-businessman John Fashanu to be crowned champion and the country went Tufnell mad – he even needed a police escort to get around.
‘It was really quite amazing,’ he told Daily Express. ‘We got off the plane and there must have been about 500 photographers there. Then I got home and there were all these people outside the house. You’re completely detached from it all over there. Then you come back and it is like, whoosh!’
Since his jungle appearance, London-based Phil has become a bit of a reality TV regular appearing on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and Channel 4’s The Jump.
He has also joined The One Show crew as a roving reporter and is a team captain on BBC quiz show A Question of Sport. He’s also penned his autobiography called Where Am I?.
Phil returned for the 2023 all stars series of I’m A Celebrity… South Africa.
Then: Phil threw himself into the Bushtucker Trials (pictured in 2003)
And now! Phil returned to I’m A Celebrity for this year’s ‘All Stars’ series (pictured)
2004: KERRY KATONA
Glamour model Katie Price’s blossoming romance with Mysterious Girl pop star Peter Andre was the main talking point of series three. But it was Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona who endeared herself to viewers.
After beating royal correspondent Jennie Bond, the 43-year-old became the first Queen Of The Jungle. Lucrative deals followed including a £290,000 partnership with supermarket Iceland, an OK! magazine column and numerous TV appearances.
But things took a turn for the worst after a tabloid newspaper printed photographs of Kerry allegedly snorting cocaine in the bathroom of her family home. She was later dropped by the food brand.
Feeling the need to ‘set the record straight’, Kerry, from Warrington, entered the Celebrity Big Brother house in 2011. This seemed to work in her favour and she finished in second place.
While remaining in the public eye, mother-of-five Kerry has endured three tumultuous marriage breakdowns, bankruptcy and has been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder.
Speaking to Daily Mirror she says her main focus now is her young children: ‘Being a mum is my proudest achievement. My children are so clever and beautiful they make my life complete.
‘Having a big, happy family is all I have ever wanted and I will do everything I can to protect my kids and keep them happy.’
After appearing on Celebs On The Farm in 2021, she now has her own reality show about her life with MTV.
She also posts regularly to X-rated site OnlyFans, saying it has made her ‘lots of money’ and allows her to give her children a ‘good life’.
Victory: Kerry Katona became the first Queen of the Jungle in 2004
Nowadays: Kerry has remained firmly in the reality TV spotlight, even featuring on her own show with MTV
2004: JOE PASQUALE
Loud mouth personalities including Princess Diana’s controversial former butler Paul Burrell and journalist Janet Street Porter descended on the I’m A Celebrity jungle in 2004.
But their brashness was no match for the charm of comedian Joe Pasquale who went on to be crowned the champion. ‘The jungle was a strange turning point for me,’ he told Kent Life.
‘It gave me an angle outside comedy and opened some doors I hadn’t expected. I think past winners have been guilty of exaggerating the status of the show – yes, it’s a special experience once you’re in there, but it’s just a TV programme. But for me, it really did seem to take my work in a new direction.’
Since then 62-year-old Joe, from Essex, has starred in several major theatre productions including The Producers, Aladin and Spamalot and appeared on Dancing On Ice.
More recently, Joe suffered a frightening near-death experience after impaling himself on a pair of moose antlers while onstage in Skegness.
Hilarious: Comedian Joe Pasquale won I’m A Celeb, which helped his successful career on the stage
Scary: Joe suffered a scary near-death experience after impaling himself on a pair of moose antlers (pictured in August this year)
2005: CAROL THATCHER
Margaret Thatcher’s daughter Carol was considered a rank outsider to win the show with odds of 33-1. However, despite making an unpromising start – she was sick on herself during a 12,000ft sky dive into the jungle – her no-nonsense attitude made her a hit with viewers.
Journalist Carol, now 70, from London, beat soap stars Sid Owen and Sheree Murphy to the leaf-adorned crown.
Her triumph cost bookmakers £250,000, with William Hill spokesman, Rupert Adams, saying at the time: ‘We thought Carol was a complete no-hoper but we have been well and truly stuffed. Despite the loss, I cannot help but feel we should not have been surprised that a Thatcher is as hard as nails.’
Carol went on to appear in a documentary called Mummy’s War, which saw her travel to Argentina to explore the legacy of the Falklands War, Living TV’s Most Haunted and she became one of the main contributors on The One Show.
However her TV career came to an abrupt end in 2009 when she was sacked after making an off-air remark about a black tennis player looking like a golliwog.
Her spokesman told The Times she made the remark in a conversation with the show’s presenter Adrian Chiles back stage and it was ‘meant as a joke’.
‘Carol never intended any racist comment,’ he said. ‘She made a light aside about this tennis player and his similarity to the golliwog on the jam pot when she was growing up.’
He added: ‘Carol is mortified that anyone should take offence at a silly joke. She has summarily apologised.’
Carol reportedly has very firm views on The Crown, calling its portrayals of her family – in which her mother Margaret was played by Gillian Anderson – ‘ridiculous’.
Last month the Daily Mail reported that Carol had wed her ski instructor Marco Grass in Las Vegas, having met in 1992.
Success: Carol Thatcher exits the jungle after winning the fifth series of I’m A Celebrity
Family: Margaret Thatcher with her husband Denis, and their children Carol and Mark
2006: MATT WILLIS
Myleene Klass’ skimpy white bikini may have been on the front cover of every tabloid newspaper at the time but it was singer Matt Willis who came out victorious.
His lively personality and bravado during the Bushtucker Trials – he had no qualms about devouring a crocodile penis or kangaroo anus – saw the 40-year-old father-of-two beat former Hear’say singer Myleene and Australian actor Jason Donovan.
Seemingly not sick of the jungle, he went on to front spin-off show I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here…Now! with his wife Emma, but this stopped in 2009 after the birth of their first child.
Pop star Matt later turned his attention to acting, landing jobs on Eastenders and Birds Of A Feather, as well as stage roles in Flashdance and Footloose. He then became part of supergroup McBusted.
In 2023 Matt featured in a documentary exploring his experiences with addiction, called Matt Willis: Fighting Addiction.
Matt, who became addicted to smoking cannabis at the age of 13, has been sober for five years and hasn’t had a drink in 13 years.
Emma previously said of her husband’s addiction: ‘I was so scared he would die,’ while admitting that living with someone with addiction was ‘unpredictable’ and ‘anxiety-inducing’.
Emma and Matt are now set to host the UK edition of Love Is Blind – the first time they will have presented together in ten years.
Pop star: Busted’s Matt Willis won the show in 2006, despite Myleene Klass’s white bikini most frequently making headlines
New venture: Matt and his wife Emma are set to host the UK edition of Love Is Blind
2007: CHRISTOPHER BIGGINS
Christopher Biggins is possibly the happiest celebrity to have ever entered the I’m A Celebrity jungle.
His popularity soared when he unwittingly cuddled up to a rat that had crawled into his bed before screaming in horror.
After beating American model Janice Dickinson, the Oldham-born 74-year-old actor, expanded his CV with increasing TV and stage work.
He’s gone on to star on reality programmes including Celebrity Come Dine With Me, Catchphrase and Celebrity MasterChef as well as doing his usual stint in pantomime.
In 2016 he then appeared on Celebrity Big Brother – however, he was removed from the house on day nine after making antisemitic comments, as well as controversial remarks about bisexual people.
Despite making £1million the year after he left the jungle, Biggins turned down an offer to return for the 2023 All Stars series.
Here he is: Christopher Biggins won over audiences with his happy and cheery persona
Star: Biggins signed up for a whole host of reality TV shows, including Celebrity Come Dine With Me, Catchphrase and Celebrity MasterChef (pictured on Saturday)
2008: JOE SWASH
During his jungle stint, Eastenders actor Joe Swash set tongues wagging with his close relationship with gay actor George Takei, who played Sulu in the original Star Trek series.
Not even tennis legend Martina Navratilova, controversial TV presenter Robert Kilroy-Silk or journalist Esther Rantzen could distract from their bromance with Joe going on to be crowned King Of The Jungle.
The 41-year-old London actor has since made a career out of being a guest on panel and game shows including Celebrity Juice, The Weakest Link, Take Me Out: Christmas Special, Celebrity Dinner Date and Dancing On Ice – which he went on to win.
He also hosted ITV2 spin-off show I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here…Now! with Laura Whitmore and comedian Rob Beckett – before leaving for good in 2019.
However, Joe hasn’t ruled out ever returning to Albert Square and reprising his role as Mickey Miller. He told Digital Spy: ‘Never say never. Maybe one day, but they might never ask me.’
Joe is now married to another I’m A Celeb winner – Stacey Solomon. The couple share three children together.
All star! Joe Swah won the jungle show in 2008 before becoming a regular on its spin-offs
Family: Joe is now married to another I’m A Celeb winner – Stacey Solomon. The couple share three children together
2009: GINO D’ACAMPO
Lively Italian chef Gino D’Acampo shocked viewers when he killed and cooked a rat – he put it in a risotto – in the camp for his hungry comrades.
So outrageous was the act that the 47-year-old fun-loving foodie courted the attention of Ofcom who fined broadcaster ITV1 for animal cruelty.
The 39-year-old father-of-three told The Irish Independent that he’d been offered the I’m A Celebrity gig three years in a row before the timing was right for him.
‘Before I decided to go the jungle, I signed a deal with my pots-and-pan range, food range, my new book was out and all the stuff like that,’ he said. ‘So I thought to myself, if I have to do it, this is a good time to do it. Raise a little bit of profile. If I had to do it, I wanted to do something that was a challenge for me.’
After the jungle, Gino hosted Let’s Do Lunch with Gino & Mel, alongside model Mel Sykes, Gino’s Italian Escape and is a stand-in captain on ITV2 game show Celebrity Juice.
He is also a regular chef on This Morning and has released nine cookbooks.
Celebrity chef: Lively Italian chef Gino D’Acampo shocked viewers when he killed and cooked a rat
Day job: Gino still appears regularly as the chef on ITV’s This Morning (pictured on Tuesday)
2010: STACEY SOLOMON
Bond girl Britt Ekland, Olympian Linford Christie and Happy Mondays musician Shaun Ryder were no match for Essex darling Stacey Solomon.
The X Factor reject, 34, with the famous laugh and big singing voice won over the audience with her cheery demeanour.
Stacey went on to become the face of Iceland supermarkets, performed at the National Television Awards and was voted Mother Of The Year – she has two young sons.
Although her career has hit some high notes, her personal life has been troubled. After splitting with her then-fiance Aaron Barnham in 2012, she began dating American stuntman Steve O after meeting him on Channel 4’s The Jump.
She is now happily married to Joe Swash, who previously won the series in 2008.
Like Joe, Stacey has also hosted the I’m A Celeb spin-off shows and has been a panellist on Celebrity Juice since 2019, while also featuring on Loose Women.
Sweet: Stacey won over the audience with her cheery laugh and happy demeanour
Family! Stacey welcomed her fifth child back in February – her ‘surprise’ baby daughter Belle
2011: DOUGIE POYNTER
The Only Way Is Essex hunk Mark Wright was tipped to win the show from the outset but he was overshadowed by the quiet, unassuming charm of McFly’s Dougie Poynter.
Even the 35-year-old from Essex was shocked about his victory telling hosts Ant and Dec: ‘I’m lost for words, my mouth is so dry. These have been the best couple of weeks of my life, I wish everybody in the world could experience that.’
After cementing himself in the hearts of mums and teenage girls everywhere, bassist Dougie went back to the day job with supergroup McBusted.
Dougie has previously dated The Saturdays’ Frankie Bridge as well as Ellie Goulding before they split in 2016.
He is still the bassist for McFly.
In July he revealed he had been to rehab twice, while speaking on his podcast On The Mend with Matt Willis.
He previously revealed he had lost two two years of his memory due to taking Valium.
King: The quiet, unassuming charm of McFly’s Dougie Poynter led him to victory
Performer: Dougie is still the bassist of long-term band McFly
2012: CHARLIE BROOKS
Charlie Brooks proved she’s a million miles away from her Eastenders bad girl alter-ego Janine Butcher when she entered the jungle in 2012.
The 42-year-old mother-of-one turned out to be one of the most amenable stars on a roster that included boxer David Haye, Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan and MP Nadine Dorries.
Charlie also helped clinch the winner’s title after having a sex chat with Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts.
Following her appearance down under, Charlie later returned to Albert Square to feature in one of Walford’s most spectacular storylines.
In September 2021 she returned to EastEnders, before appearing in her 1000th episode in 2022. She left once again in January 2023.
She has also enjoyed a spectular stage career, including starring in Tennesee Williams’s A Streetcar Named Desire and more recently the Ocean at the End of the Lane.
Actress: Charlie Brooks proved she’s a million miles away from her Eastenders bad girl alter-ego Janine Butcher when she entered the jungle in 2012
Spotlight: Charlie made a return to EastEnders, before leaving for good in January (pictured on Loose Women on November 3)
2013: KIAN EGAN
Proving nice guys can finish first, former Westlife singer Kian Egan charmed his way to victory in 2013.
The Irish hunk beat Princess Diana’s wedding dress designer David Emanuel and Emmerdale actress Lucy Pargeter to the champion’s title.
Following his jungle exit the 43-year-old released his debut solo album, appeared on This Morning as a reporter and was voted Ireland’s Sexiest Man Of The Year.
Now Kian, who is married to former Hollyoaks actress Jodi Albert, appeared as a coach on The Voice Of Ireland UK and focused on caring for his young family.
He is a father to three sons – Koa, Zeckey and Kobi.
In October 2018 Westlife announced they were reuniting as a four-piece.
Fresh-faced: Proving nice guys can finish first, former Westlife singer Kian Egan charmed his way to victory in 2013
Band member: Westlife went on to reunite in 2018
2014: CARL FOGARTY
From the outset, former superbike champion Carl Fogarty made it clear he hates to lose.
After smashing every Bushtucker Trial that was thrown his way and building up an unlikely friendship with former X Factor contestant Jake Quickenden, 50-year-old Carl was crowned King Of The Jungle.
The father-of-two from Blackburn made subsequent TV appearances on shows like Celebrity Juice and Through The Keyhole.
However, he says he’s going to dip out of the spotlight soon as being famous isn’t for him.
He told Daily Star Sunday: ‘I went into the jungle because I enjoy a bit of a challenge. But it’s made me much more famous. And there’s nothing I really want to do with that.
‘I’m not showbiz at all. I can’t see myself doing TV stuff much longer.
‘Financially, I’m fine so I don’t need to, I’m too northern and too laid back.’
Carl’s daughter Claudia appeared on the winter series of Love Island.
Challenge: From the outset, former superbike champion Carl Fogarty made it clear he hates to lose
Famous daughter: Carl’s daughter Claudia appeared on the winter series of Love Island
2015: VICKY PATTISON
Vicky won over audiences in 2015 with her honest and outspoken personality.
After claiming victory in the jungle, the former Geordie Shore star, 36, has remained firmly in the TV spotlight.
She was flooded with TV offers, becoming a Loose Women panellist, presenting I’m A Celebrity: Extra Camp and also appearing on Celebrity Coach Trip and Celebrity Masterchef.
In 2018 she made another comeback to I’m A Celebrity, signing up for the Australian version of the show and finishing in fourth place.
Vicky has her own podcast The Secret To, where she has hosted celebrity guests such as Love Island’s Scott Van Der Suis and Eurovision contestant Mae Muller.
The star is also happily engaged to be married to fiancé Ercan Ramadan, whom she is set to wed in Italy next September.
In August this year she joined radio show Heart North East.
Geordie girl: Vicky won over audiences in 2015 with her honest and outspoken personality
Famous face: The star is also happily engaged to be married to fiancé Ercan Ramadan, whom she is set to wed in Italy next September
2016: SCARLETT MOFFATT
Googlebox’s Scarlett Moffatt was already a hit with reality television before her time on the show – but I’m A Celeb saw her appear on TV rather than in front of it for the first time.
Scarlett has also maintained a successful TV career after becoming Queen of the Jungle in 2016.
Since, she has been a co-host on Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and featured on Channel 4’s controversial show The British Tribe Next Door on Channel 4 – where she and her family lived in a Namibian village.
In 2022 she revealed she had become a Christian after appearing on BBC show Pilgrimage, where she joined her fellow celebrities in walking from North Western Ireland to the Island of Iona in Scotland.
This year she appeared on Channel 4’s Scared Of The Dark, fronted by Danny Dyer.
In June this year Scarlett welcomed her first child with boyfriend Scott Dobinson and just last Monday, the couple announced they were engaged.
All eyes on her! Googlebox’s Scarlett Moffatt was already a hit with reality television before her time on the show
Sweet: In June this year Scarlett welcomed her first child with boyfriend Scott Dobinson and just last Monday, the couple announced they were engaged
2017: GEORGIA TOFFOLO
Georgia Toffolo won the 2017 series despite controversies over her politics as a long-term supporter of the Conservative Party.
During her time on I’m A Celeb, she struck up a firm friendship with Boris Johnson’s father Stanley, and they later returned to reality television together on Celebrity Hunted.
This year she appeared on the all-stars version of I’m A Celebrity in South Africa.
Away from TV appearances – including those on This Morning – Toff has been busy and written four books for her Meet Me In London series.
Toff, who is dating Brewdog boss James Watt, is said to have brokered the £1.5million deal that helped Farage onto the 2023 series.
Fan favourite: Georgia Toffolo won the 2017 series despite controversies over her politics as a long-term supporter of the Conservative Party
Busy! Toff joined This Morning and has written four books
2018: HARRY REDKNAPP
Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry, 76, announced his retirement from football management in 2017 before heading into the jungle.
He was the eldest member of a group that included The Inbetweeners star Emily Atack as well as actor and singer John Barrowman – and made no secret of his love for jam roly-polys while in the jungle.
In February this year it was rumoured he could be making a return to the world of football in Leeds United – but Javia Gracia was appointed.
Harry seems to have turned his eye to other pursuits, appearing on Great British Radio, focusing on racehorse ownership, and even making an EastEnders cameo.
Retirement: Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry, 76, announced his retirement from football management in 2017 before heading into the jungle
Comeback: Harry seems to have turned his eye to other pursuits, appearing on Great British Radio, focusing on racehorse ownership, and even making an EastEnders cameo (pictured on Loose Men on Friday)
2019: JACQUELINE JOSSA
Jacqueline won over the hearts of viewers to become Queen of the Jungle in 2018.
The EastEnders actress, who plays Lauren Branning in the BBC soap, left the show in 2018.
She returned for a one-off appearance in 2022 for the funeral of Dot Cotton and announced her permanent return in October this year.
She also won the Masked Dinner live in 2022, appearing as Baby Dino.
Jacqueline is married to TOWIE’s Dan Osbourne and the couple share two children, although their marriage has been hit by a slew of infidelity rumours since they tied the knot in 2017.
Heart-warming: Jacqueline won over the hearts of viewers to become Queen of the Jungle in 2018
Fashionista: Jacqueline has since returned to EastEnders (pictured in May)
2020: GIOVANNA FLETCHER
Author Giovanna Fletcher, who is married to McFly’s Tom Fletcher, became the first ‘Queen of the Castle’ in 2020.
The show could not take place in the Australian jungle as usual due to Covid-19 restrictions and was filmed in Wales instead.
The author hosts a successful podcast Happy Mum, Happy Baby – which even hosted Kate Middleton in her first podcasting appearance.
In 2021 it was announced she would be playing Jenny in 2:22 A Ghost Story in the West End.
In February this year Giovanna and Tom decided to renew their vows after 11 years of marriage.
Queen of the Castle! Giovanna Fletcher won the show when it was held in Wales due to the pandemic
Success: Giovanna has appeared on reality shows and on stage, while her podcast even hosted Kate Middleton
2021: DANNY MILLER
Emmerdale’s Danny Miller became King of the Castle when the show was filmed in Wales for a second year.
Last month it was announced he was making a shocking and dramatic return to his role as the mechanic in the Dales.
First place: Emmerdale’s Danny Miller became King of the Castle when the show was filmed in Wales for a second year
Comeback: Last month it was announced he was making a shocking and dramatic return to his role as the mechanic in the Dales
2022: JILL SCOTT
Jill retired from football in 2022 after a roaring victory at the Euros that year before she joined the cast of I’m A Celebrity.
The star is still firmly linked to football but has gone on to enjoy a successful career as a pundit since her time on I’m A Celeb.
In June she became the first female player to captain England for Soccer Aid.
Lioness: Jill retired from football in 2022 after a roaring victory at the Euros that year before she joined the cast of I’m A Celebrity
Star of the show: The star is still firmly linked to football but has gone on to enjoy a successful career as a pundit since her time on I’m A Celeb
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