There’s been some memorable winners! (Picture: ITV/Rex Features)
As the nights get darker and we get ready for winter, another tradition returns – a new series of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
The iconic show has ran for 20 years, and this year’s show, starting Sunday, November 6, will be the 22nd series.
The new series has proven controversial before it’s even begun, with the appearance of former Health Secretary Matt Hancock invoking comments from a range of people, including Graham Norton who labelled him ‘dense and incredibly thick.’
Hancock is far from the only controversial contestant to ever appear, though.
But, despite contestants like Lady Colin Campbell and Gillian McKeith who were remembered for (mostly) the wrong reasons, the show has proven to be a smart move for many other stars.
The stars who went on to win and won the hearts of the public.
Here’s a reminder of the champions who’ve crowned to date, as we wait for the new series to start and a new champ to join the hall of fame…
2002 – Tony Blackburn
Tony was the OG winner of the jungle series (Picture: Rex)
Radio DJ and TV personality Tony Blackburn won the first ever series of I’m A Celebrity in 2002.
He made it to the final three with Tara Palmer-Tomkinson (who sadly died in 2017) and author Christine Hamilton.
The oldest member of the camp at the time, Tony said that he won because he ‘found himself able to relax despite the atmosphere’, which at times would prove tense, with several arguments erupting among the campers that year.
In the opening series, there were only eight participants, with the line-up completed by Uri Geller, boxer Nigel Benn, actor Darren Day, model Nell McAndrew and comedian Rhona Cameron.
It also only ran for 15 days, compared to the now three-week stint.
2003 – Phil Tufnell
Phil celebrated his win with an ice cold pint (Picture: Rex)
Cricketer Phil Tufnell beat footballer John Fashanu and Changing Rooms’ Linda Barker to be crowned the second King Of The Jungle.
The series, which aired in April 2003, again ran for only 15 days.
He was often chastised for complaining about being bored while in the camp, but often proved to be grounding entertainment for viewers.
He celebrated his win by being given a pint as soon as he left the jungle.
Jan 2004 – Kerry Katona
Kerry wept as viewers voted her series champion (Picture: Rex)
Kerry Katona became the first ever Queen of the Jungle in one of the most iconic series of the show to date.
Not getting off to the strongest start and buckling under the panic of the Bushtucker trials, Kerry soon found her feet and inner strengths to make it through to the finale.
She beat Peter Andre and Jennie Bond in the final three.
This series – the first of two that year – saw the first jungle romance bloom between Peter and Katie Price, with the pair marrying, having two children, and a reality show dynasty before calling it quits and divorcing in 2009.
Nov 2004 – Joe Pasquale
Cheeky chappy Joe took the crown back for the boys later that year (Picture: Rex)
The female jungle reign unfortunately only lasted less than a year, before the second series of 2004 had Kerry pass the crown over to comedian Joe Pasquale.
Joe won fans over after he was seen bonding with the camp pets – a pair of emus named Ant and Dec – and keeping spirits high in the camp.
He was up against Fran Cosgrave and Royal butler Paul Burrell in the finale, beating Paul by a tiny margin of just two per cent.
2005 – Carol Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher’s daughter proved to be a winner with the viewers (Picture: Rex)
As the daughter of Margaret Thatcher, journalist Carol became the shock winner of 2005 after proving to be a hit with viewers.
In the final vote, she was up against Emmerdale’s Sheree Murphy, and Eastenders’ Sid Owen.
Talking on Loose Women after bringing the crown back for the girls, Carol said: ‘I thought I’d be voted off first, I never thought I’d win, and I was simply thrilled to bits.
‘The surprising thing was when I got back, everyone came up to me and said how much they’d enjoyed it.
‘To have been part of something that was deemed to be quite jolly entertainment really was quite the most rewarding thing.’
2006 – Matt Willis
Matt was the next star to be crowned the winner (Picture: Rex)
Busted’s Matt Willis lasted 19 days in the jungle before he took home the cron and sceptre.
Myleene Klass came second, and Jason Donovan placed third.
Among his tasks, he had to bungee jump from a helicopter, and eat on anus and testicles in the grim eating trials.
He was even bitten by a baby alligator during his time in the camp.
2007 – Christopher Biggins
Biggins was the runaway winner in 2007 (Picture: Rex)
Christopher Biggins larger-than-life nature made him a firm favourite from the outset during his time in the jungle.
More than willing to make a fool of himself (and name drop his famous friends every now and again) Biggins also took on trials with gusto.
He is one of the few winners who was actually a late arrival to the camp, setting up home with the rest of the celebs on day five of the show’s now 18-day run.
Supermodel Janice Dickenson came second, while 5ive star J Brown came third.
2008 – Joe Swash
Joe Swash formed a bromance with George Takei (Picture: Rex)
Joe Swash was best known as Eastenders’ Mickey when he first entered the camp, but his win caused an entire career rebrand, sending him into the world of presenting.
The cheeky Londoner found himself forming close bonds with the older campmates, offering to take their place in difficult challenges and tasks.
In particular, he held an unlikely tight bromance with Star Trek star George Takei, and their friendship became adorable viewing.
Both made it to the final alongside tennis icon Martina Navratalova.
When Joe won, he celebrated by sharing a cheeky kiss with his new bestie George.
2009 – Gino D’ACampo
Gino cemented his place in I’m A Celeb history with his win (Picture: Rex)
TV chef Gino D’ACampo is beloved for his pure comedy value – amping up his cheeky nature in order to charm the jungle camp, but also the viewers at home.
He had a bit of a shock though, and found himself becoming camp chef after realising the production team wouldn’t ‘just give him a baguette’ away from the cameras.
He was in the finale alongside Kim Woodburn, and snooker Jimmy White – and won with a staggering 82% of the viewers votes.
This series lasted for 21 days, cementing three weeks as the optimal length of the show going forward.
2010 – Stacey Solomon
Stacey Solomon became the 2010 queen (Picture: Rex)
Stacey Solomon started off the show with a reputation of an ‘Essex girl’ but managed to switch that around almost instantaneously.
The former X Factor star competed in more challenges than anyone else on the series, completing an amazing SEVEN bushtucker trials during her three-week stay.
Happy Mondays star Shaun Ryder came an extremely close second, while comedian Jenny Eclair came third.
It was on the show that she became close to former champion Joe Swash, who crowned her, as he was hosting the spin-off series.
They have now been together for four years, and have a son, Rex, who they welcomed in 2019.
2011 – Dougie Poynter
Dougie took home the crown in 2011 (Picture: Rex)
McFly star Dougie Poynter was another celebrity who found himself in a tight bromance with a fellow contestant to help survive the series run.
This time, the rocker paired up with Towie star Mark Wright, and the pair managed to keep united even when it came down to the two of them in the final vote.
While both expected the other to win, it was Dougie who actually won it, and he couldn’t actually speak when Ant and Dec called out his name.
As Dougie regained his composure, Mark said: ‘There couldn’t be a better winner. He’s the nicest kindest person in the whole entire world. He really is, and he deserves every minute of it.
Dougie eventually added: ‘It’s been the best couple of weeks of my life, I wish everybody in the world could experience that.’
2012 – Charlie Brooks
Charlie was delighted to be crowned the next winner (Picture: Rex)
EastEnders star Charlie was seen struggling during her time in the jungle, missing her young daughter as well as her regular home comforts.
But her perseverance didn’t go unnoticed by viewers, who became attached to her as she surpassed her own expectations.
She beat Ashley Roberts from Pussycat Dolls and boxer David Haye in the final, and wept with joy as she was given her new title of Queen of the Jungle.
Janine could never.
2013 – Kian Egan
Westlife star Kian was next in line to the jungle throne (Picture: Rex)
Westlife star Kian Egan was next in line to the throne in 2013, which is pretty perfect considering he was up against Princess Diana’s wedding dress designer David Emanuel in the final.
Emmerdale’s Lucy Pargeter came in third place.
Other stars to appear that year included Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air’s Alfonso Ribeiro – one of the biggest names to sign up at the time.
But Kian’s relaxed nature and leadership skills (plus taking on seven of the Bushtucker trials) cemented his victory – taking home 67% of the vote.
2014 – Carl ‘Foggy’ Fogarty
Carl was the biggest star earner in camp (Picture: Rex)
Racer Carl ‘Foggy’ Fogarty was truly a machine when it came to Bushtucker trials – and may be one of the highest star earners to ever compete on the show.
In the seven trials he took part in, he had a 100% success rate, meaning he took back to camp every meal up for grabs, every time.
Seems only right then, that he smashed the vote too – and was crowned winner with 59% of the vote.
Mel Sykes came second, and Jake Quickenden came third.
2015 – Vicky Pattison
Vicky felt like she didn’t deserve to win (Picture: Rex)
Vicky Pattison’s Geordie ‘can-do’ attitude became an essential part of her time on the show, with her cheeky nature completely revamping her image from her Geordie Shore days.
Honest and vulnerable at times, she revealed to Susanna Considine about her regrets at having sex on telly and how she hoped I’m A Celebrity would make her mum proud.
She was also direct and a natural leader – managing to even calm down arguments with Lady Colin Campbell and other members of the camp.
When she won, she broke down in tears and said she felt she ‘didn’t deserve it’, and was met by her beaming mam at the end of the walkway.
Union J’s George Shelley came second, and Towie’s Ferne McCann came third.
2016 – Scarlett Moffatt
Scarlett went more than a week without showering in the jungle (Picture: Rex)
Scarlett Moffatt became at one with nature pretty quickly in the jungle – falling headfirst out of a canoe into the water before even entering camp.
Once there, she admitted she didn’t shower for more than a week – with Medic Bob eventually forcing her to do so.
A real homely girl, Scarlett proved to be sweet but assertive in both camp life and the trials, and said after that she found herself more confident as a result of the experience.
Joel Dommett came second, and Adam Thomas came in third.
She’s since used her win as a platform to kickstart her presenting career.
2017 – Georgia ‘Toff’ Toffolo
Toff formed a bond with Stanley Johnson in the jungle (Picture: Rex)
Georgia Toffolo became a firm favourite early on as she played to her strengths while acknowledging she could also be a little bit ditzy.
She became tight with Stanley Johnson – Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s father – during her time in the jungle.
They’ve since appeared together on shows including Celebrity Gogglebox.
Hollyoaks’ Jamie Lomas came second, and radio presenter Iain Lee came third.
2018 – Harry Redknapp
Harry’s love of his wife and jam roly polys made him an instant favourite (Picture: Rex)
Football manager Harry Redknapp took home the 2018 jungle championship with a landslide win.
He beat Emily Atack and John Barrowman, who came second and third respectively.
Fans grew to love him quickly as he spoke about his love for wife Sandra, as well as jam roly polys, which he would often crave when the hunger started setting in.
Speaking to Ant and Dec afterwards, Harry admitted he feared he wouldn’t last long as none of his co-stars knew much about football.
He then said: ‘They’re the most lovely people I’ve ever met, the whole group. There wasn’t one person I could ever say one single bad word about. They were amazing.’
2019 – Jacqueline Jossa
Jacqueline is getting ready to pass the baton over (Picture: Rex)
Jacqueline Jossa beat Andy Whyment and Roman Kemp to the 2019 win.
During the emotional finale, both Andy and Jacqueline burst into tears as the announcement was made.
She went on to tell viewers: ‘You don’t know how much this means,’ as she struggled to get her words out.
She explained: ‘I can’t believe I did all that stuff. It was not what I expected, it was a lot harder than I expected. But also I just didn’t think it was going to be such a turning point in life.
‘I went in and was one person and I feel like I’ve come out as a different person.
‘I feel like I’ve grown in confidence and found who I am as a person a little bit more.’
2020 – Giovanna Fletcher
Giovanna won the first ever series to be filmed in Wales (Picture: Kieron McCarron/ITV/REX)
2020 was the first ever series to not be filmed in Australia as the coronavirus pandemic shut down the world.
Instead, the series was filmed at Gwrych Castle in Abergele, Wales.
2020 was also the year author and actress Giovanna Fletcher won the show with 50.27 percent of the final vote, narrowly beating Jordan North.
Swapping the jungle for the castle, Giovanna was the first ever Queen of the Castle.
2021 – Danny Miller
From Emmerdale Farm to King of the Castle (Picture: Kieron McCarron/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
After returning to Wales for a second year in 2021, Danny Miller was crowned the first ever King of the Castle.
2021’s series became a battle of the soap stars in the end, with Emmerdale’s Danny Miller beating Coronation Street’s Simon Gregson to second place.
Danny won with 55.05 percent of the final vote.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! returns at 9pm on ITV.
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