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
I AM A CELEBRITY 2024: MEET THE ALL STAR LINE
COLEN ROONEY
Coleen Rooney rose to fame as the wife of footballer Wayne
AGE: 38
OCCUPATION: WAG
FAMOUS FOR: Wagatha Christie case against her archrival Rebekah Vardy.
Reports claim he has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history, surpassing Nigel Farage’s £1.5million from last year.
MAURA HIGGINS
Maura Higgins became an instant TV favorite during her time on Love Island
AGE: 33
OCCUPATION: Television personality
FAMOUS FOR: Fifth series of Love Island (20190 and Dancing On Ice (2020).
Maura is said to have replaced Tommy Fury after he pulled out at the last minute.
OTI MABUSO
Oti Mabuse already has two Strictly Glitterballs under his belt
AGE: 34
OCCUPATION: professional dancer
FAMOUS FOR: Oti is best known for being a professional dancer on the British television series Strictly Come Dancing, which she won in 2019 and 2020.
DANNY JONES
Danny Jones is one of the bookies’ favorites to win this year’s I’m A Celeb
AGE: 38
OCCUPATION: singer mcfly
FAMOUS FOR: Danny is one of the lead vocalists and lead guitarist of the pop-rock band McFly.
He is also a coach on The Voice UK.
BARRY MCGUIGAN
Former boxer Barry McGuigan heads into the jungle
AGE: 63
OCCUPATION: Retired professional boxer
FAMOUS FOR: Barry was nicknamed The Clones Cyclone and held the lineal and WBA featherweight titles from 1985 to 1986.
BARRY
GK Barry is a TikTok star who recently joined the ITV family on Loose Women
AGE: 25
OCCUPATION: tiktok star
FAMOUS FOR: Grace is known for her comedic commentary on culture, lifestyle and fashion. She has over 3.6 million followers and recently joined the Loose Women panel.
DEAN MCCULOUGH
ITV bosses hope Dean McCullough will ruffle feathers in camp
AGE: 32
OCCUPATION: Radio 1 DJ
FAMOUS FOR: Radio 1 DJ Dean has been snapped up by I’m A Celeb bosses, hoping he will ruffle feathers with his outspoken opinions.
Earlier this year it was announced that Dean would take over BBC Radio 1’s early breakfast show, having previously fronted the afternoon slot.
JANE MOORE
Jane takes on the challenge after her notorious separation from her husband.
AGE: 62
OCCUPATION: Journalist
FAMOUS FOR: PrJane is best known as a panelist and presenter on Loose Women between 1999 and 2002.
He returned as a regular panelist starting in 2013.
Jane takes on the challenge following her high-profile separation from her husband of 20 years, showbiz agent Gary Farrow.
MELVIN ODOOM
AGE: 44
OCCUPATION: DJ and television presenter
FAMOUS FOR: His work on the radio. Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses in 2021 but turned down the offer at the last minute.
He also had a primetime stint on Strictly in 2016.
REV RICHARD COLES
Richard’s last season on the reality show was when he participated in Strictly in 2017.
TOGRAMMY: 62
OCCUPATION: radio presenter
FAMOUS FOR: Richard is a former member of the pop group The Communards.
They scored three top ten hits in the UK, including the number one album Don’t Leave Me This Way.
ALAN HALSALL
Alan Halsall is best known for his role as Tyrone Dobbs in Coronation Street.
AGE: 42
OCCUPATION: Actor
FAMOUS FOR: Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall was forced to pull out of I’m A Celeb last year after undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery.
Bosses have now convinced the actor to sign up again, and he will no doubt attract a huge fan base thanks to his long-running role as Tyrone Dobbs in the soap.
TULISA
Tulisa is returning to her career after reuniting with N-Dubz last year.
AGE: 36
OCCUPATION: Singer and former X Factor judge
FAMOUS FOR: Tulisa reunited with N-Dubz last year for a tour after finding fame with the band in 2007.
In 2011, she became a judge on The X Factor and released her debut solo album, The Female Boss.
He released his fourth album with N-Dubz last year.