I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! winner Sam Thompson has been reunited with girlfriend Zara McDermott after a month apart as he landed back in the UK.
Made In Chelsea star Thompson arrived at Heathrow Airport where he was greeted by former Love Island star McDermott, who shared an emotional hug and presented him with a bouquet of balloons.
Although family and friends of campmates usually travel to Australia to greet them as they leave camp over the bridge, McDermott did not attend as she had also signed up to take part in a reality show as part of the cast of Strictly Come Dancing.
McDermott revealed on her Instagram stories: “Sam thought I would still be on Strictly (God bless him for his optimism) so Pete (Wicks) has cleared his whole diary for two to three weeks to be there.”
She added: “We’re also training for our final Strictly number so it’s been a bit impossible to sort everything out but Sam was so excited by the idea that Pete would be there anyway that he was happy to have me back at base waiting for him. I’m obviously a bit sad not to be there. But I’m throwing a massive party on the last night for all our family and friends (fingers crossed he’ll be there!!!) so I’m responsible for feeding everyone at home!”
Towie star Pete Wicks, Thompson’s best friend, greeted Thompson as he emerged from the jungle and also hugged McDermott when they arrived back at the airport.
McDermott had offered Thompson her unconditional support during his time on I’m a Celeb and had spoken in interviews about how proud she was when he spoke about his diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
In his first television interview after his victory, Thompson told Lorraine that McDermott’s reaction to being crowned King of the Jungle had moved him to tears.
He said: “I saw the clip. I didn’t turn my phone on. It made me cry. It’s my nearest and dearest in this room together. I’ve never had so many people support me in anything. It’s such an incredible feeling. Overwhelming. I’m a very lucky, lucky person. I owe a lot of people a lot of dinners.”
On Wednesday, runner-up Nigel Farage also arrived back at Heathrow, smartly dressed in a pink checked blazer and his jungle hat.
Farage was a controversial addition to the line-up this year, so it was a surprise to some viewers to see him in the final alongside Thompson and Tony Bellew.
Celebrity spotters at the airport may also have caught a glimpse of one of the show’s presenters as Declan Donnelly arrived home pushing his young son Jack in a stroller through the airport.
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