We're heading towards the final of the I'm A Celebrity ...Get Me Out Of Here! all-stars spin-off, in a bid to be crowned the first I’m A Celebrity Legend, on Friday. And fans were declaring their winner following emotional scenes.
The I'm a Celebrity South Africa camp became emotional as former EastEnders star Joe Swash talked about his wife Stacey Solomon and their children. Joe, who played Mickey Miller in the BBC soap from 2003 to 2008, was in tears as he spoke of missing his family back home in the pre-recorded show, which was filmed last September.
Revealing he keeps thinking about home, Joe tells his fellow campmates: “I’m really missing my kids… I don’t know how to get rid of the feeling.” Joe, who was crowned King of the Jungle in the 2008 series, said: “I was a different person the first time I did I’m A Celebrity. This time there’s so much at home waiting for me.” He added: “Everyone wants to do their family proud and I want to do the same."
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@UKTVForever tweeted: "Joe Swash to definitely win." @Kempy_85 also said: "Joe swash should win." And @Matts_Tweeting commented: "Bet Stacey just gave Joe a big hug watching this."
Joe, 41, also won hearts as he stepped in to help fellow EastEnders star Dean Gaffney by giving him a shave. But then viewers were horrified when he admitted that had been wearing the same underwear for five days as the celebs adjusted to life in camp.
Former Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan remarked: "I love Joe but that is gross, pretty disgusting." @coleluvbot commented: "Me learning Joe Swash has worn the same underwear for 5 days in a row." And @JoanneRealJLS observed: "Joe Swash: Cries about missing his kids. Delicately shaves his friend. Doesn't change his pants for nearly a week."
In another emotional moment the former champion admitted to the camp if it wasn't for his experience in the Australian jungle he would never have met his wife, who won the 2010 series, while he was presenting its sister show Extra Camp. The couple married last July in the gardens of their home Pickle Cottage.
They have three children Rex, three, Rose, one and Belle who was born in February. He told his campmates: "Honestly, I genuinely feel like I’m the biggest winner ever from anyone who’s done this show. It gave me my wife, my kids, a career for over a decade.”
In the Bush Telegraph he added: “I find it hard to talk about the jungle without getting emotional. I wear my heart on my sleeve anyway. You’re going to have to bear with me.”
In camp he continued: “Growing up, all I wanted to be was a dad and have a family. The jungle came along and I met my wife on the jungle.
"I have two amazing kids, me and Stacey have had since we’ve been in the jungle. I feel like I’ve won this already. I don’t know where I would be without it. I’d just be that dude that was on EastEnders years ago. Now, I’m Stacey Solomon’s husband.”
In the Bush Telegraph he added: “I feel very blessed, very lucky. It was my chance to come back and say thank you. You pulled me through some very dark times and gave me everything I ever wanted.”
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