Harry Redknapp has been crowned King of the Jungle after beating Emily Atack on I’m A Celebrity 2018.
The jam roly-poly-loving football manager said he was “amazed” to have “survived three weeks”.
Redknapp, 71, praised his fellow camp mates for helping him to get through the experience. He said: “When I came in I looked and thought ‘I’m in trouble here’. They dragged me through it every one of them. There wasn’t one person I could say one single word about. Without them I wouldn’t have survived.”
Some 11 million votes were cast in Sunday night’s final which saw John Barrowman finish third and Atack second.
The Inbetweeners actress said: “I can’t believe this is happening. Can I be the jungle princess? [Harry’s] such a worthy winner. To be alongside him I’m honoured.”
She continued: “It’s changed my life in so many ways. I came into this with a difficult start to the year and I didn’t really know what I was doing. This place has given me so much self-acceptance. This is my skin, my hair and this is what I look like.
“I’ve learned to relax. I will never doubt myself ever again. I’ve learned I can survive so I think I can do anything. I feel like my whole life people have underestimated me.”
Redknapp said being separated from Sandra, his wife of 54 years, was “very difficult”.
Speaking about how the experience has changed him he said: “It’s taught me how to laugh again. When you’re a football manager it’s a serious business. Every Saturday you’re up, you're down, you’re low, it’s a lonely business. I’ve got a happy home life but really laughing.”
I’m A Celebrity: The Coming Out Show is on ITV, Wednesday at 9pm
