KING OF THE JUNGLE
Danny Jones crowned King of the Jungle as he wins I’m A Celebrity – beating Coleen Rooney and Reverend Richard Coles
But one contestant was missing from the finale
MCFLY pop star Danny Jones burst into tears last night as he was crowned I’m A Celebrity’s King of the Jungle by Ant and Dec.
He told the hosts and viewers: “Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I gave my all in there — I gave myself.”
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More than 10million votes were cast to decide between the finalists, with Wag Coleen Rooney coming second and third place going to Reverend Richard Coles.
It came as Coleen is poised to sign a £1million TV deal after leaving the jungle camp.
Danny is also being courted by ITV bosses for big new shows, insiders have revealed.
Danny managed 23 days in camp - and kept his cool with a python up his shorts in his very first trial.
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On his win, Danny said: “It’s a lovely feeling to be liked.
“I hope it comes across on TV, but it’s real in there.
“You’re hungry, you’re tired, you’re lethargic.
“It’s insane. I’ve learnt so much about myself.
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“I’ve learnt how valuable time is with loved ones.
“I always prioritise my job so much — with success comes compromise.
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“What I’ve learnt, especially from all these camp mates, is time is precious.”
Favourite to win the jungle show, Danny won over I’m A Celeb viewers early on as he spoke of his mental health struggles.
In the first week, he broke down in tears as he revealed he started having therapy for anxiety aged 19 after suffering a panic attack during a live TV interview.
The 38-year-old also spoke about his estrangement from his dad Alan, 72, and his friendship with fellow campmate Barry McGuigan.
He has not seen Alan for 18 years after he left his mum, Kathy: "My dad, he doesn't speak to me.
"You can go to therapy, but you still crave your dad and that's what hard.
"That's why I get so much satisfaction out of Barry."
Speaking more about his relationship with his dad, Danny said on the show: "He was amazing yeah, we went to see Bolton Wanderers every weekend, got a Maccy Ds before, I've got great memories.
"He was a hugger, he was a kisser and then when he left us, that's when I had to grow up real fast, I bought my mum's house.
"I was 18 years old, I bought myself a flat in London and I bought my mum's house and I put my sister through university."
Danny was met on the jungle bridge by wife Georgia and their son Cooper as he left the Aussie camp.
The star had earlier said goodbye to Reverend Richard Coles who came in third place, and Oti Mabuse who was voted out in Saturday's episode.
NEW ROLE
ITV bosses are now keen to secure Danny long-term as one of its main players, alongside family favourites including Joel Dommett and Bradley Walsh.
He is already a judge on The Voice UK, alongside his bandmate Tom Fletcher, but insiders said telly bosses are keen to sign him up for more shows.
A source said: “Danny is the embodiment of everything ITV loves.
“He’s fun, family friendly and incredibly popular.
“Watching how popular he was on I’m A Celeb made him a key target for other shows they have coming up.
“Danny is a brilliant musician, but he is also great on TV.
“ITV bosses want to see if they can sign him on for another series of The Voice UK and there are other shows they think he could be perfect on.”
LAST SUPPER
After triumphing in their final-ever Bushtucker trial, the last three campmates were treated to a feast fit for royalty.
Each chose their ultimate favourite dishes for a farewell banquet in camp.
Danny’s began with mozzarella sticks paired with sweet chili sauce, followed by a buttermilk chicken burger and chips as his main.
For dessert, he indulged in fresh cream profiteroles drizzled with warm Nutella sauce, all washed down with a cold glass of beer.
Coleen’s picks started with bruschetta, moving on to a classic spaghetti bolognese topped with flaky parmesan cheese and garlic bread.
She joined Danny in selecting fresh cream profiteroles with Nutella sauce for dessert and rounded off her meal with a glass of French pale Provence rosé.
Richard opted for a king prawn cocktail with salad to start, followed by a hearty main of cottage pie served with peas, carrots, and gravy.
For dessert, he enjoyed fruit cake, accompanied by a glass of refined Chablis Grand Cru.
The extravagant meal was a well-deserved celebration for the final three after weeks of jungle challenges and eating rice and beans, critters and grisly animal parts.
Last night, all of this year’s I’m A Celebrity stars joined the finalists for a wrap party.
It came a day after ex-Strictly Come Dancing pro Oti Mabuse was evicted from camp, leaving just three contestants to battle it out.
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Only pop star Tulisa Contostavlos was absent, after flying home to the UK amid struggles with her mental health.
Yesterday, she shared photos online and said: “Sorry I can’t be there to celebrate with you all.”
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