I’m A Celeb winner Sam Thompson reveals he made emotional phone call to best pal Pete Wicks during thunderstorm-hit flight as he arrives in Australia to host spin-off show

Reigning King of the Jungle Sam Thompson said ‘It’s good to be home’ as he returned to Australia to present I’m a Celebrity‘s new spin-off show, Unpacked.

It’s been less than a year since Sam, 32, arrived at Brisbane Airport as a hopeful contestant with the Strictly star and his best friends, Pete Wicks, his support system.

His girlfriend of five years, Zara McDermott, has not accompanied him again this year and he told MailOnline: ‘I don’t know if Zara will be coming out, that’s a good question. Maybe, if she’s not working, maybe. That would be really nice, if she could come out it would be really nice to see her.’

It is also believed that Pete Wicks will make the journey back out again as his rumoured girlfriend Maura Higgins is tipped to be a contestant and Sam is staying out for the duration of the show.

The 32-year-old, who was crowned King of the Jungle last year after he won the nation’s hearts with his boundless energy and charms, was joined on the flights by his co-host Joel Dommett

Speaking about the TOWIE star’s emotional dance on Strictly Come Dancing last night, Sam said: ‘I called Pete when I was in the layover. He smashed his dance I watched it on the flight, it was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. He deserved that ten from Shirley. So beautiful.’

The former Made in Chelsea star was the fan favourite last year with his boundless energy and while he would not confirm when he had landed his ‘dream’ presenting gig, it is believed ITV bosses signed him up shortly after victory.

He arrived at Brisbane Airport with his co-hosts Joel Dommett and Kemi Rogers after his flight was almost diverted to Sydney due to a horrendous thunderstorm threatening the safety of their landing.

Revealing what he would do with his time in Australia, Sam said: ‘I’m just going to be trying to get to know Joel as best as I can while I’m out here so that he becomes my brother. Definitely trying to track down Ant and Dec, seeing where they’re staying seeing if I can hang out with them. Try and make best friends for life.’

A raging thunderstorm 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 touch down in Brisbane unscathed – all other flights had to make the 1:35 hour diversion. 

In a hellish experience for passengers the plane was forced to hang above the runway for a time before it could land.

His girlfriend of five years, Zara McDermott , has not accompanied him again this year and he told MailOnline: ‘I don’t know if Zara will be coming out’

It’s been less than a year since Sam, 32, arrived at Brisbane Airport as a hopeful contestant with the Strictly star

Sam told MailOnline that he called his best friend Pete Wicks during the flight’s layover to congratulate him on his emotional dance on Strictly Come Dancing last night

The night before Sam made the more than 20 hour trip to Australia shared a video of himself in bed with his girlfriend, Zara McDermott, talking about his upcoming trip.

He shared how excited he was that his new job meant he could finally become ‘best friends with Ant and Dec’.

The former Strictly Come Dancing star, 27, jokingly reminded him that it was ‘just a spin-off show’ and that he 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 episode round-up, Jungle Club.

Guests will appear on the show to reflect on the day’s episode as well as exclusive inside gossip with Joel Dommett, 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 stint in Wales, Extra Camp was replaced with The Daily Drop hosted by Vick Hope but this was axed in 2021 and no companion show replaced it until now.

Capital Radio DJ, Kemi Rodgers is the third host of the brand new spin-off show 

McFly frontman Danny Jones was the first star to touch down in Brisbane Airport ahead of this year’s I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here 

I’M A CELEBRITY 2024: MEET THE ALL STAR LINE UP

COLEEN ROONEY 

Coleen Rooney rose to fame as the wife of footballer Wayne 

AGE: 38

OCCUPATION: WAG 

FAMOUS FOR: Wagatha Christie case against arch rival Rebekah Vardy. 

Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history, exceeding Nigel Farage’s £1.5million from last year. 

MAURA HIGGINS  

Maura Higgins became an instant TV favourite during her stint on Love Island

AGE: 33

OCCUPATION: Television personality

FAMOUS FOR:  Series five 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 MABUSE  

Oti Mabuse has already two Strictly glitterballs under her 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’ favourites to win this year’s I’m A Celeb 

AGE: 38

OCCUPATION: McFly singer

FAMOUS FOR:  Danny is one of the lead vocalists and the lead guitarist for pop-rock band McFly. 

He is also a coach on The Voice UK. 

BARRY MCGUIGAN 

Former boxer Barry McGuigan is heading into the jungle 

AGE: 63

OCCUPATION: Retired professional boxer

FAMOUS FOR:  Barry was nicknamed The Clones Cyclone and held the WBA and lineal featherweight titles from 1985 to 1986. 

GK 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 MCCULLOUGH 

ITV bosses are hoping Dean McCullough will ruffle feathers in the camp 

AGE: 32

OCCUPATION:  Radio 1 DJ 

FAMOUS FOR:  Radio 1 DJ Dean has been signed by I’m A Celeb bosses, in the hope that he will ruffle feathers with his outspoken views. 

Earlier this year it was announced Dean would be taking over the BBC Radio 1 Early Breakfast Show, after previously fronting the afternoon slot.  

JANE MOORE  

Jane takes on the challenge following her high-profile split from  her husband

AGE: 62

OCCUPATION: Journalist

 FAMOUS FOR:  Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women between 1999 and 2002. 

She returned as a regular panellist from 2013 onwards.

Jane takes on the challenge following her high-profile split from husband of 20 years, Showbiz agent, Gary Farrow. 

MELVIN ODOOM  

AGE: 44

OCCUPATION: DJ and TV presenter

FAMOUS FOR: His work on radio. Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021, but turned down the offer at the last minute.

He also had a primetime stint on Strictly back in 2016.

REV RICHARD COLES 

Richard’s last reality stint was when he took part in Strictly in 2017

AGE: 62

OCCUPATION: Radio presenter 

FAMOUS FOR:  Richard is a former member of pop group The Communards.  

They achieved three UK top ten hits, including the No. 1 record of Don’t Leave Me This Way.

ALAN HALSALL  

Alan Halsall is best known for his role as Tyrone Dobbs on Coronation Street

AGE: 42

OCCUPATION: Actor 

FAMOUS FOR: Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall was forced to withdraw from I’m A Celeb last year, after undergoing ACL Reconstruction surgery.

Bosses have now convinced the actor to sign up again, and no doubt he will draw in a huge fanbase thanks to his long-running role as Tyrone Dobbs on the soap. 

TULISA  

Tulisa is making her career comeback 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 first finding fame with the band in 2007.

In 2011, she became a judge on The X Factor and went on to launch her debut solo album, The Female Boss. 

She released her fourth album with N-Dubz last year.