I’m A Celebrity’s emphatic jungle king Sam Thompson nearly sends best pal Pete Wicks flying over rope bridge as they emotionally embrace after finale

I’m A Celebrity viewers breathed a sigh of relief after Pete Wicks managed to stay on his feet when series winner Sam Thompson leapt into his arms at the end of the finale episode on Sunday.

Former Made In Chelsea star Sam, 31, was crowned King of the Jungle at the weekend, beating retired boxer Tony Bellew, 41, who finished in second place and ex politician Nigel Farage, 59, who came third.

Sam left the camp and was interviewed by programme hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donelly before he walked across the rope bridge out of the jungle where he was greeted by his best pal, former The Only Way Is Essex and Staying Relevant podcast co-host Pete, 35.

After setting his eyes on Pete, Sam ran at full speed towards his friend before leaping into the air and throwing himself into his arms while gripping his legs around his waist and shuddering with excitement.

Pete stumbled and was forced to steady himself as he took the full force of reality star Sam throwing himself at him, with fans taking to social media to express their relief that Pete clung onto the bridge’s rope to stop himself falling over the edge and plummeting down into the jungle below. 

I’m A Celeb viewers breathed a sigh of relief after Pete Wicks managed to stay on his feet when series winner Sam Thompson leapt into his arms at the end of the finale episode on Sunday

Former Made In Chelsea star Sam, 31 (left), was crowned King of the Jungle at the weekend

Taking to Twitter, one person laughed: ‘The end where Pete was like “we’re going to fall off this bridge”.’

While someone else noted: ‘I was scared one of them was going to go over the side.’

‘I thought the Bridge was going to break,’ wrote another viewer. ‘Congratulations Sam! Love Sam and Pete’s friendship.’

‘Jeez, I’m so glad Pete held onto the rails though,’ wrote another show fan.

And someone else posted: ‘Pete thankfully held the rope.. but wow.’

‘It looked like they nearly went over the side though,’ wrote another concerned viewer.

And someone else commented: ‘I thought they were both going to go over.’

Sam was announced as the winner of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! on Sunday.

After setting his eyes on Pete, Sam ran at full speed towards his friend before leaping into the air and throwing himself into his arms

Pete stumbled and was forced to steady himself as he took the full force of reality star Sam throwing himself at him

Fans took to social media to express their relief that Pete clung onto the bridge’s rope to stop himself falling over the edge and plummeting down into the jungle below

Sam promptly jumped into the arms of runner-up Tony Bellew when hosts Ant and Dec announced the results, before admitting he was ‘overwhelmed’ by the result.

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.

He said: ‘Ten 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 ‘one hundred 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… 

Pete soon took to Instagram to congratulate is pal, he said: ‘Honestly mate I couldn’t be prouder of you… KING OF THE JUNGLE’

Sam was announced as the winner of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! on Sunday (L-R: Runner-up Tony Bellew, winner Sam and Nigel Farage, who finished in third place)

Retired boxer Tony Bellew, 41 (right), admitted he had found life in camp ‘very, very difficult’ so was thankful for his friendships with Sam (left) and JLS singer Marvin Humes

‘The vibe was so amazing and I thought, “I don’t think I’ve ever been as happy as I am now”.’

Meanwhile, Tony admitted he had found life in camp ‘very, very difficult’ so was thankful for his friendships with Sam and JLS singer Marvin Humes.

He said: ‘You’re alone with your own thoughts and my mind isn’t the best, it wasn’t easy. It was very very difficult and you think to yourself, “What am I doing here?”

‘I definitely think I was put here to be around Sam and get to know him, Marvin was a huge part of it as well, I can’t believe he’s not sitting here.

‘Everyone was amazing… I know this is called I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! but I’m not one of them, a celebrity, and no one felt like a celebrity, they were just normal. 

‘It’s the first time in my life I’ve sat with a bunch of strangers and just thought, “You’re all sound people”.’

Earlier in the evening, it was announced Nigel had come third after which he admitted he was ‘absolutely thrilled’ to have done so.

Sam was greeted by his former campmates after he won (top row L-R: Josie Gibson, Fred Sirieix, Marvin Humes and Nick Pickard) (middle row L-R: Tony, Sam and Nigel) (bottom row L-R: Nella Rose, Frankie Dettori and Danielle Harold)

He said: ‘I’m not surprised [to be third], I’m absolutely thrilled..’

Asked about being a divisive figure, the former politician admitted he hoped he had shown his ‘human’ side.

He said: ‘Not everyone like the stuff I campaign for but whatever you think, we’re all entitled to an opinion, I’m a human being like everyone else and I hope this has showed I’m as human as anybody – things I’m good at, things I’m bad at. 

‘I mucked in, I’ve thrown myself into camp life 100% and if you asked me would I do it again…I think I probably would.’

Sam was interviewed by I’m A Celebrity hosts Ant McPartlin (left) and Declan Donnelly (right) after he was announced as the winner

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