Current King of the Jungle Sam Thompson said: “It’s good to be home” as he returned to Australia to present new I’m a Celebrity spin-off show Unpacked.
It’s been less than a year since Sam, 32, arrived at Brisbane airport as a hopeful contestant with Strictly star and best friends Pete Wicks his support system.
His girlfriend of five years, Zara McDermott, has not joined him again this year and told MailOnline: “I don’t know if Zara will come out, that’s a good question.” Maybe, if she’s not working, maybe. It would be very nice, if I could go out, it would be very nice to see her.’
Pete Wicks is also thought to be making the return trip again as his girlfriend Maura Higgins is rumored to be a contestant and Sam will be sitting out for the duration of the show.
His biggest dream is to become best friends with Ant and Dec. And it looks like Sam Thompson has a chance as he landed at Brisbane Airport to present spin-off show I’m a Celebrity.
Speaking about the TOWIE star’s emotional dance on Strictly Come Dancing last night, Sam said: ‘I called Pete when I was on the layover. He destroyed his dance. I saw it on the flight, it was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life. He deserved those ten from Shirley. So beautiful.’
The former Made in Chelsea star was a fan favorite last year with his boundless energy and, although he didn’t confirm when he had landed his “dream” presenting job, ITV bosses are believed to have hired him shortly after the win .
He arrived at Brisbane Airport with his co-hosts Joel Dommett and Kemi Rogers after their flight was almost diverted to Sydney due to a horrendous storm that threatened the safety of their landing.
Revealing what he would do with his time in Australia, Sam said: “I’m going to try to get to know Joel as best I can while I’m here so he can become my brother.” I’m definitely trying to track down Ant and Dec, see where they stay and if I can hang out with them. Try to make best friends for life.
A severe storm threatened to divert the plane carrying the first I’m A Celeb stars to Sydney Airport.
But Sam, Joel and Kemi were one of the last passengers to land unharmed in Brisbane; all other flights had to make the 1:35 hour detour.
In a hellish experience for passengers, the plane was forced to hover over the runway for some time before being able to land.
The 32-year-old, who was crowned King of the Jungle last year after winning the hearts of the nation with his boundless energy and charm, was accompanied on the flights by his co-host Joel Dommett.
Sam told MailOnline that he called his best friend Pete Wicks during the flight layover to congratulate him on his emotional dance on Strictly Come Dancing last night.
The night before Sam made the 20+ hour trip to Australia he shared a video of himself in bed with his girlfriend, Zara McDermott, talking about their upcoming trip.
He shared how excited he was because his new job meant he could finally become “Ant and Dec’s best friend.”
The former Strictly Come Dancing star, 27, jokingly reminded her it was “just a spin-off show” and she wouldn’t be working with the Geordie duo.
I’m A Celebrity Unpacked, which will air after the main show and Ant and Dec’s quick recap episode, Jungle Club.
Guests will appear on the show to reflect on the day’s episode, as well as exclusive inside gossip with Joel Domett, who hosted the previous companion show Extra, which was axed in 2020.
At the start of the pandemic, when I’m A Celeb enjoyed a brief season in Wales, Extra Camp was replaced by The Daily Drop presented by Vick Hope, but it was axed in 2021 and no companion show has replaced it until now.
Capital Radio DJ Kemi Rodgers is the third host of the new spin-off show