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Mike Tindall sure knows how to bring his I’m A Celebrity 2022 campmates back together, and he’s done it again during an intimate dinner attended by the co-stars in Australia.
On Sunday night, former Lioness Jill Scott was crowned the new Queen of the Jungle, with Hollyoaks actor Owen Warner coming in second place and former health secretary Matt Hancock finishing third.
Former rugby player Mike landed in the fourth place spot, before greeting his wife Zara Tindall, the daughter of Princess Anne and niece of King Charles III, on the bridge in front of photographers.
Following the end of the ITV programme, the celebrities who took part – aside from Love Island star Olivia Attwood, who had to drop out prematurely – stayed in Australia to see out the rest of the series.
After Jill received her crown, they were reunited at the hotel where they were all staying, before coming together for an intimate meal.
In a clip filmed at the dinner by Loose Women star Charlene White, Mike stood up and delivered a rousing speech about just how much his experience in the competition has meant to him.
What a dinner party set-up (Picture: Instagram/@charlenewhite)
Mike was greeted by his wife Zara when he left the jungle (Picture: James Gourley/ITV/Shutterstock)
‘I would like to say that it’s been an absolute privilege, honour, to meet you all, being together, spend that valuable time together and for 30 people – well actually 26 – to come together, get on for the amount of time that we’ve gone is very, very rare. Very, very special. We should all appreciate that,’ the 44-year-old said.
He then urged his co-stars to make sure that they all stay in contact, saying: ‘Now we say great things to each other, but when we get back to the UK, let’s not just f**k off.’
As the attendees at the dinner laughed, he continued: ‘It’s easy to do, but let’s not do it, because I think we created a very special thing here, and I think it’s worth keeping it going, it’s worth taking the time on the plane and engaging about what we have actually done.’
Who better to make a powerful dinner speech than Mike Tindall? (Picture: Instagram/@charlenewhite)
Mike then heralded the 2022 season of I’m A Celebrity as one of the best ever to air throughout the show’s history.
‘This could be the best show they’ve ever done in 22 years. I think to say what it is, it is the best show ever. And that is because of the people who run it and the people who are behind the scenes because that’s what makes this show great,’ he stated, as the others at the meal cheered.
‘So I’d like to say it’s been a privilege, an honour, everyone have a safe journey home, I look forward to seeing you back in Blighty, I’m f**king kicking up for the next week, see you later.’
Mike was granted the honour of crowning Jill (Picture: James Gourley/ITV/Shutterstock)
In her Instagram caption, Charlene dubbed Mike the ‘dad of camp’, while also referring to him as his nickname ‘Vanilla Mike’ thanks to his impressive rapping skills, which viewers witnessed in the jungle.
Revealing the speech was made at their final meal in Australia last night, Charlene wrote: ‘Every word echoes exactly how we all feel about this experience. It’s been incredible.’
The ITV newsreader continued: ‘We would never have survived the early days of the @imacelebrity camp without him. Aside from all the other stuff he did in camp, he was the only one who knew how to light the fire – which was crucial obviously 😂.
‘His song lyrics knowledge is off the scale, his banter is top tier, and he’s just incredibly kind and caring. And gives THE best hugs. I’m looking forward to seeing you back at our @loosewomen studio soon Vanilla Mike’
I’m A Celebrity is available to watch on ITV Hub.
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‘I think we created a very special thing here,’ he told his campmates.
