I’m A Celeb winner Sam Thompson chokes back tears at sweet message from Zara McDermott and thanks best pal Pete Wicks for supporting him in Australia in his girlfriend’s absence

Sam Thompson choked back tears as he paid tribute to his girlfriend Zara McDermott and best friend Pete Wicks in an emotional interview on Monday. 

The Made In Chelsea star, 31, was crowned King of the Jungle during Sunday night’s I’m A Celebrity finale and was greeted by Pete on the bridge. 

Love Island star Zara, 26, remained at the couple’s home in the UK during Sam’s three week stint in the jungle, after believing she would be unable to make the trip because she was starring in Strictly Come Dancing. 

Zara hosted a viewing party at their home for the final, and as a surprise to her boyfriend she sent in a sweet video message that was played on ITV’s Lorraine.

Addressing her boyfriend of four years, Zara said: ‘I don’t think the word proud even cuts it anymore. The way you carried yourself in that jungle and made everyone feel so comfortable, you brought such a sparkle to that camp.’ 

Sam Thompson choked back tears as he paid tribute to his girlfriend Zara McDermott and best friend Pete Wicks in an emotional interview on Monday’s episode of Lorraine 

Love Island star Zara, 26, remained at the couple’s home in the UK during Sam’s Jungle stint, after believing she would be unable to make the trip because she was starring in Strictly

She continued: ‘I’ve never never net anyone like you before. I love you so much and cant wait to have you back.’ 

Overcome with emotion, Sam said: ‘That’s the sweetest thing, when you see something like that, that’s my little goose! 

‘I miss her so much. I know she has been sleeping on my side every night and I am so lucky to have her in my life – I have so many people asking “how did you do that?” and I don’t know.

‘Sometimes I wake up to check she’s still there and is it a dream and luckily it’s not! I am so lucky to have her in my life.’ 

Sam was also full of kind words when asked about TOWIE star Pete, gushing: ‘Pete is the best mate anyone could ever ask for.

‘He’s not immediate family and he’s come out for here for two weeks and been a rock for my girlfriend who couldn’t be there and my mum and my friends.

‘Even at he hotel now, he’s ushering me around asking “are you ok mate?” I’ve never had this before from him, he’s usually very stern!

‘And with him at the end of the bridge if it wasn’t Zara, it was him. I’m just so lucky, I owe him a lot.’ 

The Made In Chelsea star, 31, was crowned King of the Jungle during Sunday night’s I’m A Celebrity finale and was greeted by Pete on the bridge

Admitting he was ‘overwhelmed’ by the support he’d seen shown and that he’d cried seeing a clip of his loved ones hosting an I’m A Celeb party, he went on to quip: ‘I owe a lot of people a lot of dinners!’ 

While Sam has been tipped to make millions after his Jungle exit, he confessed that he hasn’t yet thought about what his next move will be. 

He mused: ‘I keep sounding so corny, that’s the beauty of doing a show like this, I’m really happy with where I’m at the moment. I’ve got my radio show and my podcast…

READ MORE: Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott are set to make MILLIONS as TV’s new golden couple 

‘I just wanted to do the show for the most amazing experience in the world. The beauty is I don’t even know if I need to do anything else.

‘I’m already so lucky so I have no idea what or if I’m going to do something next.’ 

One thing Sam does have lined up is working with campmate Marvin Humes, as he revealed: ‘He said when JLS tour next year I can come and do a little bit with them!’ 

Sam was also asked how he managed to keep his positive attitude in camp, as he explained: ‘It was just such a cool experience. It’s easy to be happy in there, I’ve been a fan for so long. 

‘This sounds cringey but when you’re in there with proper celebrities, it’s the coolest thing in the world.  I’ve watched the show so many years and being around all these people, they can’t leave!’ 

During Sunday’s final, Sam jumped into the arms of runner-up Tony Bellew when hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly announced the results, before admitting he was ‘overwhelmed’.

He said: ‘I’m really overwhelmed, I didn’t think I’d even be invited on the show. I don’t know what to say.’ 

Asked what he had to say to those who had voted for him, he tearfully said: ‘I’m so grateful, thank you so much. I’ve dreamed of doing this show for years and years and you’ve made a boy’s dream come true.’

Tony wasn’t too disappointed to have finished second as he felt his new friend was a more than worthy winner.

Hours earlier Sam was crowned King Of The Jungle by Ant and Dec after beating Tony Bellew in the nailbiting finale 

He said: ’10 days ago, I knew. I knew when I first met him, I’ve never met a person like him… He deserves it more than anything and I couldn’t be happier.’

Sam had been open about being a superfan of the show and admitted it was ‘100 times’ better than he had expected it to be.

Interviewed alongside Tony ahead of the result, he was asked if it had lived up to his expectations and said: ‘It did so much more, I’ve never been so shocked in my life, times 100 everything, the little moments are the best moments as well. 

‘My favourite time in the entire jungle was when Snake Rock came back and we had the entire family back together… The vibe was so amazing and I thought, “I don’t think I’ve ever been as happy as I am now”.’

Source: Read Full Article