Sam Thompson has begun the long journey home (Picture: Sam Thompson/ Instagram)

Sam Thompson is coming home after having his ‘dream come true’.

The Made In Chelsea star, 31, was crowned King of the Jungle on Sunday after a dramatic season of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!.

Sam beat out runners-up Tony Bellew and Nigel Farage, as well as Grace Dent and Jamie Lynn Spears who quit the show early on, and a host of other celebrities who were voted out as the pressure built.

And while best pal Pete Wicks was there to meet him on the bridge at the end, Sam’s friends and family, including girlfriend Zara McDermott, are waiting patiently for him in England.

Now the new King of the Jungle is on his way home, and has shared an emotional message to everyone who supported him.

Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, the reality star shared a snap from the airport, and wrote ‘I’M COMING HOME!!!’

The star beamed as he prepared to catch his flight home (Picture: Sam Thompson/ Instagram)

Admitting he didn’t ‘quite know where to begin, I want to start first of all by saying thank you.

‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart, there aren’t quite the words to describe how grateful I am for each and everyone of you who supported me during my time in the jungle.’

The self-declared I’m A Celeb megafan told fans they had ‘made a young boy’s dream… come true and I will never ever forget that.’

Despite Sam appearing at ease in the jungle from the get go, he revealed he was ‘nervous about whether I was going to make myself look like a d**k as I know I’m a bit full on … I would be lying if I didn’t say I was nervous!’

Sam won the title of King of the Jungle after a dramatic I’m A Celeb season (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)

He said getting to meet Ant and Dec and having ‘these iconic experience that I’ve always watched on the TV just made me so damn happy that I stopped worrying about all that.

‘I had no idea of all the support, love and kindness that you all showed me, and reading some of your comments and messages, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude!!! Never in my wildest dreams, did I expect to be crowned King of the Jungle, or that I’d get to do CYCLONE!

He shared his gratitude for getting to take part in Cyclone and other ‘iconic’ moments (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)

‘Every time Ant and Dec walked into camp, I convinced myself that it was going to be me that went next. There’s no way that people were actually voting for me. But each time I stayed another day, I felt more and more humbled and emotional.

The genuinely loved I’m A Celeb contestant finished: ‘Thank you again from the bottom of my heart!!! I have more people to thank, and a couple more soppy posts, but my first thank you had to be to all of you. I Love you.’

Sam was awash in support once again following his post, with Laura Whitmore and Jacqueline Jossa both agreeing he ‘smashed it’.

Sam is now heading home, with girlfriend Zara urging him to ‘tell that pulot to put his foot on the gas’: (Picture: Zara McDermott/Instagram)

Maya Jama posted a king’s crown emoji, as did Jeremy Lynch.

And girlfriend Zara wrote: ‘PROUD DOESNT EVEN CUT IT!!!! Now tell that pilot to put his foot on the gas please!’

While they haven’t yet seen each other in person, Zara and Sam had a sweet reunion over FaceTime moments after he won the crown.

She shared videos of a watch party she hosted for her partner, including the moment the room erupted with cheers when his name was announced as the winner.

And right at the end of the video came her virtual reunion with the star, both talking excitedly as Sam was seen still jumping up and down and cheering.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Nigel Farage told I’m A Celebrity bosses to ‘go to hell’ in furious row after rule break

MORE : Piers Morgan’s son apologises on his behalf for ‘misinformed’ Sam Thompson dig

‘I’M COMING HOME!!!’