I'm A Celebrity...South Africa: winner, unseen bits, trailer, hosts and everything we know

I'm A Celebrity...South Africa was an I'm A Celebrity spin-off that saw iconic campmates from over the years return to take on some new challenges.

The award-winning reality show has been running for more than 20 years and has had 230 celebrities take part in grisly Bushtucker Trials and have terrifying encounters with creepy crawlies.

This series, some of the most famous and much-loved campmates returned to face the dreaded challenges once again in a brand new camp in South Africa. ITV teased: "South Africa is an even harder proposition which will push them to their limits and test them like never before. The challenges are bigger and tougher and the environment harsher and more unforgiving."

Now that the winner has been revealed, which of the past I'm A Celebrity winners were crowned the 'I'm A Celebrity Legend'?

Here's everything we know about I'm A Celebrity...South Africa...

I'm A Celebrity...South Africa unseen bits

Although the series might be over, I'm A Celebrity...South Africa is treating us to an unforgettable one hour special of all the best moments that we didn't get to see in camp.

The special will air on Friday, May 19 at 9pm on ITV1.

I'm A Celebrity...South Africa release date

The final of I'm A Celebrity...South Africa aired on Friday, May 12 at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX. The full series is now available to watch on ITVX.

What happened in I'm A Celebrity...South Africa?

This spin-off from the main series welcomed back some of the best celebrity campmates from over the years to compete in new trials and challenges in hopes to be crowned the 'I'm A Celebrity Legend'.

After already battling the Australian jungle, the iconic celebrity contestants came back to do it all again in the "harsher and more unforgiving" camp in South Africa, where they were pushed to their limits like never before with "bigger and tougher" challenges.

In a twist to the original format, there was no public vote and the celebrities competed against each other in a battle to become the first ever 'I'm A Celebrity Legend'.

ITV also teased that: "Whilst nodding back to the Australian jungle, I'm A Celebrity...South Africa is a uniquely different series so viewers can look forward to lots of unexpected twists and turns."

The new stand-alone show ran in addition to the usual annual ITV program.

Here is a sneak-peek on what viewers could have expected in the new series...

Who won I'm A Celebrity...South Africa?

Here is who was crowned the 'I'm A Celebrity Legend'...

Myleene Klass

Myleene Klass won the series and was crowned the first ever 'I'm A Celebrity Legend', after she went head to head with Jordan Banjo in the ultimate eating trial.

Talking about how she felt about being crowned the winner she said: "I think the fact that my peers kept me in at points, that meant everything because they were the closest to me in camp. It’s lovely to have the public vote of course the first time round. That gave me so much confidence the first time in my career. But the second time, being voted for by my peers who have seen what I’ve done in camp. 

"In close quarters, who lived with me and done the trials with me. To have their acknowledgement and to have affirmation from them. Honestly, when they voted for me to stay in for the final three, I couldn’t hold my tears back. I was so moved. That acknowledgement meant everything."

I'm A Celebrity...South Africa runners up

Here is who placed second and third in the competition...

Jordan Banjo

Jordan Banjo came in second place after losing the ultimate eating trial against Myleene Klass.

He said of coming in second place: "Well, the first time I was in the jungle, I came ninth. I’ve just learnt that. I’ve been telling everyone for the last six years I came seventh! I was a bit shocked, I didn’t realise I did that badly first time. So coming up ninth to second is a huge achievement. Very very happy, very proud of myself. But as you saw, Myleene in that final… no one else was coming first! So like I said, hats off to Myleene. Thoroughly deserved."

Fatima Whitbread

Fatima Whitbread finished in third place after the final three campmates took part in Critter Countdown. She unfortunately lost the trial and left the South African camp in third place.

Who has left I'm A Celebrity...South Africa?

Here are the contestants who have left the camp so far...

Gillian McKeith

Gillian McKeith was one of the first celebrities to leave I'm A Celebrity...South Africa after losing the show's first elimination challenge in episode five alongside Shaun Ryder.

Shaun chose Gillian as his teammate in Savage Safari, but the pair came last and were eliminated.

Shaun Ryder

Shaun Ryder was sent home alongside Gillian McKeith after they came last in the elimination challenge Savage Safari. 

The Happy Mondays star had to choose a teammate for the challenge and picked Gillian, but her terrifying encounter with a snake meant that they lost the challenge.

Amir Khan

Amir Khan was the third celebrity to leave the camp after an anonymous vote by the campmates where they had to choose one person to be eliminated.

He said of his exit: "It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. It’s like I got to be with a new family in South Africa. I’m always going to compare it with my first time in Australia but this one, for me, was way better. 

"Great camp, the campmates were amazing. Even though I would have loved to have stayed in a little bit longer, sometimes what can happen is, if you stay longer, you can outstay your welcome. It was just a great experience and I’m just glad I had the opportunity."

Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo

On Friday, May 5, four celebs — Myleene Klass and Jordan Banjo and Georgia Toffolo and Andy Whyment— were sent off to take part in the Gold Rush challenge with the losing pair packing their bags and leaving camp behind.

Ultimately, Myleene and Jordan came out on top, meaning Toff and Andy were sent home which left fans devastated by the result.

Andy Whyment

Andy Whyment was eliminated alongside Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo after they lost to Myleene Klass and Jordan Banjo in the Gold Rush challenge.

Janice Dickinson

Toff and Andy weren't even the only celebs to leave the camp that evening, as Janice Dickinson was forced to leave the show behind after sustaining an injury in camp, much to the remaining celebs' dismay.

Janice wrote a statement to her fellow campmates following her departure, which Helen Flanagan read out. It said: "Dear beloved campmates, never in my life have I had such an extraordinary experience with all of you animals. 

"You are the new BFFs, loves of my life and I’ll miss you until I get to see you again. Kisses to all of you, I love you and miss you. Love, Janice. P.S. Joe I’m still p*****d at you and I’ll never get over it. Joke. All the love."

Joe Swash

Joe Swash was eliminated from the competition on Tuesday, May 9, after losing the latest Survival Trial where he went up against Phil Tufnell.

Talking about his experience after his exit he said: "I found it amazing. It was such an amazing group of people that made me and Dean feel immediately welcome. I don’t think I’ve laughed as much for years. Honestly, my ribs were so sore from laughing. It was quite an overwhelming experience as well because the jungle means so much to me. As in, I worked on it for over a decade, I met my wife on there, I’ve now had children. 

"It was so nice to go back in there. It all sort of came back to me how much the show has done for me. It was lovely. It was really nice to go back and sort of say thank you. That was a big part of returning for me. Also, I was honoured to be one of the few that got to go back to be one of the legends. It was such a nice experience and something me and Stacey can show our kids and let them know, it all started from the jungle."

Helen Flanagan

With just two days left until the final, Helen Flanagan and Dean Gaffney were eliminated from the show after the pair came last in the Survival Challenge where all the campmates took part.

While each celebrity was locked in a crate filled with creepy crawlies, they were told that the last two contestants left in their crates would be leaving camp for good.

Helen and Dean were the last remaining and were sent home, leaving just six campmates left in South Africa.

Helen said as she left: "I’ve had the time of my life I have just had the best time I am so grateful. I knew I would be bad at the challenge.”

Dean Gaffney

Dean Gaffney was eliminated alongside Helen Flanagan after the pair lost in the Survival Challenge which the whole camp competed in.

Both him and Helen were the last two contestants remaining after they failed to escape their critter-infested crate and left the competition in sixth and seventh place.

Dean said: “Hopefully I did better than last time. I am definitely going home heavier than I arrived with all the picnics that’s for sure! You know what I’m done I haven’t laughed that much in years.”

Carol Vorderman

Carol Vorderman was eliminated alongside Paul Burrell on Thursday's episode (May, 11) after losing a terrifying challenge that involved swimming through water tanks filled with creatures.

Talking about the experience following her exit she said: "Well, it was a very different experience. The first time in Australia was so new. Every single thing was new. Of course, we’d all seen it on the telly, so when you got there, you were sort of reacting to that. 

"This camp was completely different and there were many more surprises in this series. But, wonderful. Slightly more intense I would say. But some great people in this camp and that’s what makes it really."

Paul Burrell

Paul Burrell was sent home with Carol Vorderman after they lost a challenge which saw them swim through tanks with some creepy company.

He said of his experience in South Africa: "It was incredible. It was absolutely wonderful, I had the best time ever because of the people. I was with the best of the best. There was just love and laughter. There was no tension at all, it was just a real celebration of everything jungle and the bush. It was full of laughter."

Phil Tufnell

Phil Tufnell finished in fourth place after the former campmates returned and had to decide on who would make the final three. The celebrities chose Myleene Klass, Jordan Banjo and Fatima Whitbread as their finalists, meaning Phil finished in fourth place.

I'm A Celebrity...South Africa celebrity line-up

The first group of ex-campmates were officially confirmed by hosts Ant and Dec who announced the line-up live on air during Saturday Night Takeaway on March, 25.

Here are the first group of contestants who entered camp in the launch episode...

Helen Flanagan

Former Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan took part in the 2012 series of I'm A Celebrity where she came in seventh place.

Helen is best known for her role as the glamorous Rosie Webster in Coronation Street, who she played for 13 years.

The mum-of-three became a big fan-favorite during her time on the show and was voted to take part in the Bushtucker Trials a whopping seven times in a row after she confessed on the first day that she was a "scaredy cat".

The actress revealed that she is taking part in I’m A Celebrity...South Africa because she wants to conquer her fears and prove to the nation she has the guts to do the Trials. 

She said: “It’s going to be different. I was only 22 back then and I am 32 now. I have grown up a lot and I’ve had three children and I’ve gone through three labours! I won’t not finish the trials because my mindset will be very different this time around.

“When I went in the jungle the first time, I didn’t prepare at all. I didn’t have a clue what I had let myself in for and I cried even when my phone got taken off me after landing in Australia. I want to make my children proud when I take part this time.”

Jordan Banjo

Diversity dancer and radio DJ Jordan Banjo finished in ninth place on I'm A Celebrity 2016.

Jordan said of doing the show for a second time: “How many people get the chance to do it twice? A series with different campmates from over the years sounds pretty cool and my fellow Diversity dancers are excited to see me suffer again! 

"You know Ant, Dec and the team will push the boat out, make it bigger, better and get you to do some even more crazy things! My fear of snakes is even worse now but at the same time, it will also be exciting.”

The Britain's Got Talent star formed a close bond to Gavin & Stacey and EastEnders actor Larry Lamb during his time in the jungle and was also known for loudly singing the Spice Girls to help him get through the Tomb of Torment Bushtucker Trial.

Carol Vorderman

TV Presenter and former Countdown host Carol Vorderman also starred in I'm A Celebrity 2016 and came in eighth place.

Carol said: “Doing I’m A Celebrity changed me a lot. It made me realise that I was missing many things I loved and within a short space of time after leaving the camp, I bought a little house in West Wales. I love Wales and I love being out at night. I’ve got a converted van and I live a bit of a hippie life! 

"I go paddle boarding all the time now. You get to a point in life where you think everything is all a bonus. You can’t say ‘I will do that in 20 years' time’. It made me realise that you need to live in the now."

She also added: “We’ve still got a WhatsApp group! [from 2016].”

She earned the title of 'Camp Mum' during her time on the show and her flirtations with Joel Dommett became a big talking point on the series.

Along with Myleene Klass' infamous shower scene, Carol's shower scene also became famous with viewers as well as competing in a disgusting eating trial called Big Bush Tucker Bake Off.

Fatima Whitbread

Olympic Athlete Fatima Whitbread came in third place in the 2011 series of I'm A Celebrity.

Fatima commented on going to South Africa for the upcoming series: “I learnt a lot about myself in the Australian camp and I know there will be some life size characters and life size egos in South Africa too! But what a great experience it is going to be.”

The javelin thrower competed in Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins in 2022 and whilst in the jungle, one of her most unforgettable moments saw her get a cockroach stuck up her nose and having to get it flushed out.

Today, Fatima — who kept the cockroach and had it waxed — laughed as she reflected on the infamous Trial. “People still come up and chat about the cockroach,” she revealed. “And every time I’m A Celebrity comes out, the cockroach incident gets aired quite a bit! Most children remember me for the cockroach and their parents remember me for throwing a javelin!”

Amir Khan

Boxing champion Amir Khan came fifth in I'm A Celebrity 2017.

Amir said of doing the show again: “I let myself down by saying 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here’ in one of the Trials in Australia. I got scared last time and I want to go in again and come out as the main man — the champion. I am in this to win it.”

One of his well known jungle moments was when he and comedian Iain Lee secretly ate strawberries after winning the Dingo Dollar Challenge instead of taking the treat back to camp, famously becoming known as ‘Strawberry Gate’.

Five years on, Amir admitted that he still receives bowls of strawberries as gifts. “I don’t regret one bit what I did. I was starving at the time and it was fun and boisterous! It caused a lot of commotion in camp, but I couldn’t believe how big it became in the UK! Still to this day, I get people talking about it and coming over to me with gifts of strawberry bowls," he confessed.

Janice Dickinson

1970s supermodel Janice Dickinson finished in second place in 2007.

Janice said of joining I'm A Celebrity...South Africa: “I’m coming back for more fun, more camaraderie and to see if I can get along with everyone.” 

Reflecting on the Trials, she shared: “I wasn’t fearless doing the Trials in Australia but I always gave it a good shot except when they wanted me to drink something. I said no way, yuck, I can’t eat or drink something I can’t stomach, yuck.”

Janice became an iconic contestant after her explosive feuds with other campmates and often butted heads due to her brutally honest opinions during her time on the show.

Phil Tufnell

Phil Tufnell won the show in 2003 and the cricket legend became popular for always complaining that he was "bored" throughout his time in the camp.

The ex-England cricketer, who works as a cricket commentator and was a team captain on A Question of Sport for 13 years until 2020, said: “Doing I’m A Celebrity is such a great experience that stays with you for the rest of your life. It feels as clear as a crystal ball and it is one of my favourite programmes.

“I had my birthday whilst I was in the camp and it is one I will never forget. I am one of the lucky few to have gone in the jungle and experienced it all and that’s what appealed to me when they phoned up to ask me to take part again. I said yes immediately.”

Paul Burrell

Former Royal Butler Paul Burrell appeared on the show in 2004 and finished in second place. He became known for his hilarious facial expressions during the challenges.

Paul, who was Princess Diana's royal butler, said of doing the show a second time:  “I loved doing it the first time around and to be asked again is very special. It’s like coming into the final of the jungle Olympics. I had to eat kangaroo testicles in Australia and I am expecting everything to be bigger in South Africa. 

"But it is going to be different because I am a different person now. I was a married guy with two kids and now 19 years on, I am a married man again but this time around, I have a husband. I have many more things to talk about in South Africa. I want to be there for all the dads who are struggling with their sexuality.”

Shaun Ryder

Music legend Shaun Ryder came runner-up in I'm A Celebrity 2010, losing out to Stacey Solomon.

Shaun said of taking part in I'm A Celebrity...South Africa: “I didn’t want to go home the last time I did I’m A Celebrity in 2010. I could have stayed another year in Australia. I loved living outside in the camp and I had a proper laugh with my fellow celebrities. I know going to South Africa will be a great adventure. I can’t wait to do it."

One of the music legend's most memorable moments was when he was bitten by a snake during a group trial and remained surprisingly calm as he waited for medical attention — of course a few curse words were mentioned.

I'm A Celebrity...South Africa late arrivals

The I'm A Celebrity... South Africa campmates were joined by six more famous faces as the show got underway.

I'm A Celebrity... South Africa stirred things up in camp by sending additional celebrities into the jungle after the first stars had settled down. These are the late arrivals so far...

Gillian McKeith

 TV star and former You Are What You Eat host Gillian McKeith was the first late arrival and entered the South African camp at the end of the first episode.

She came eighth in I'm A Celebrity in 2010 and one of Gillian's most famous jungle moments was when she 'fainted' during a live trial and had to be carried off set by Medic Bob. She was continuously voted by the public to do Bushtucker Trials throughout her time on the show.

Gillian said of doing I'm A Celebrity a second time: “Now when I think about doing I’m A Celebrity again, I feel apprehensive and petrified. It’s going to be more terrifying this time because back then, I didn’t know what to expect but this time I can’t use that as an excuse. 

"What I felt before feels 1000 times worse now and all of it freaks me out but I feel I’ve got a calling to represent all the scaredy cats in Britain — and that is the reason why I’ve said yes.”

Myleene Klass

Myleene Klass entered the South African camp in the third episode along with two other celebrities.

Myleene was in I'm A Celebrity in 2006 and finished in second place. She became a household name after appearing in the TV show Popstars in 2000 and was a member of the pop group Hear'Say alongside Kym Marsh.

The musician became a regular panelist on the popular ITV daytime show Loose Women in 2014 and she now hosts Smooth Radio.

Throughout the years, I'm A Celebrity became well known for their iconic shower scenes, documenting the campmates having a shower under the waterfall. Myleene's famous shower scene went down as one of the most memorable moments in TV history after she stepped into the shower in a tiny white bikini and it's still remembered today over ten years later.

She said of doing the show again: “When do you get to do an adventure like this?Doing the all-star series feels like an incredible thing to be part of. It is also a great honour. 

“There have been hundreds of contestants to choose from and it feels like we are in the Avengers! My children are excited too. They weren’t around when I first went in and it is something we have always talked about. When we sat down together as a family to talk about it, they told me to do it because it looked like so much fun.”

Andy Whyment

Andy Whyment also entered the camp in the third episode alongside Myleene Klass.

He finished in second place in I'm A Celebrity 2019 and the soap star is best known for playing the much-loved Kirk Sutherland in Coronation Street.

Andy was a hugely popular celebrity during his time in the jungle and his most iconic jungle moment was when he called the Celebrity Cyclone "easy" and strolled through the intense challenge with no problem.

He said it was an "honour" to be asked to do the series again, saying: “I am a massive fan of the show and to be asked again is such an honour. I felt privileged to be asked back and I said yes immediately — well once I had spoken to Corrie to make sure I could do it. They said I could and so here we are!"

Georgia Toffolo

Georgia Toffolo aka 'Toff' entered the competition in the third episode, joining Myleene Klass and Andy Whyment.

Toff was crowned the Queen of the Jungle in I'm A Celebrity 2017. She shot to fame on the popular reality show Made In Chelsea and has since gone on to write her own books, as well as become an ambassador for many brands.

During her time in the jungle, she became well known for her close friendship with Boris Johnson's dad, Stanley Johnson.

“Having the opportunity to do the jungle once is a great honour because not many people in the whole world have that privilege,” she said. “And so, to be asked the second time is just next level kind of stuff. I personally was very happy in the Australian camp and I know some people found it hard but I wasn’t ready to leave. I am so excited to see what twists and turns there will be in South Africa. It’s going to be so unbelievably exciting.”

Dean Gaffney

Dean Gaffney entered the camp as a late arrival during the seventh episode alongside Joe Swash.

He was in I'm A Celebrity in 2006 and finished in fifth place. The EastEnders legend, who played Robbie Jackson in the soap, was well known for being scared of everything in the camp and was one of the best contestants in the show's history.

Dean recalled how I'm a Celebrity has become iconic for him, with his moment still cited as one of the best and funniest moments!

During the jungle spa trial in season 6, he had to put his head in a bowl for a hair wash with cockroaches, and he spent the whole thing screaming which fans will not let him forget.

He revealed: "That live Trial became folklore. Every year it gets wheeled out as one of the best moments, so even if I want to forget it I can’t! People still stop me in the street and chat to me about the trial."

Joe Swash

Joe Swash joined South African camp alongside Dean Gaffney as a late arrival in episode seven.

Joe was crowned the King of the Jungle in 2008 and became a household name after playing the role of Mickey Miller in EastEnders in 2003 and has since gone on to win Dancing On Ice in 2020 as well as host the spin-off show I'm A Celebrity Extra Camp. He's now married to fellow Queen of the Jungle Stacey Solomon.

The cheeky chappie 'Swashy' was known for his outgoing attitude in the camp and his bromance with actor George Takei.

In a statement, Joe said that the decision to take part in the series was very personal and that it feels like "closure", having met his now-wife Stacey while working on I'm a Celebrity. 

Joe said: "I’m a Celebrity holds a big place in my heart. I won it and I was lucky enough to go on to present the spin-off series on ITV2 for 10 years. I met Stacey whilst I was out in Australia and me and Stacey have now married and we have had kids. Doing the all-stars series is closure. It finishes off the circle."

I'm A Celebrity...South Africa presenters

Presenters Ant and Dec returned to their hosting duties, with the pair having presented I'm A Celebrity since its creation in 2002.

I'm A Celebrity South Africa host Ant said of the spin-off: "It's a question we always get asked...who would you bring back to the jungle? So to get this opportunity to make a brand new show in South Africa and put some of our previous campmates through their paces again was the dream."

Dec added: "It's bigger and wilder than we could have hoped for so viewers are in for a real treat!"

Where will I'm A Celebrity...South Africa take place?

It was widely reported that the new I'm A Celebrity camp was set up in a dusty part of Kruger National Park, a huge area found in northeastern South Africa.

The Sun shared some first-look images from the new camp ahead of the show's launch and teased that the show has taken over a spot six times bigger than the usual area in Australia, and is a 40-minute drive away from a nearby village.

Is there a I'm A Celebrity...South Africa trailer?

Yes! You can watch the trailer below which sees Ant and Dec on a safari in South Africa where it's not only animals they encounter on their adventure...