'Real reason' Sam Thompson’s girlfriend Zara McDermott didn’t meet him on I’m A Celeb bridge

After weeks of anticipation, ITV viewers last night voted for Sam Thompson to be crowned this year's King of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!.

The 31-year-old Made In Chelsea star reached the grand finale alongside professional boxer Tony Bellew - who placed runner-up - and ex-politician Nigel Farage, who came in third.

It was certainly an emotional victory for posh boy Sam, who repeatedly thanked I'm A Celeb viewers for their votes and hosts Ant and Dec for welcoming him onto the show.

When the time came for the brand new King of the Jungle to carry out his illustrious walk of fame across the infamous rickety bridge out of camp, however, viewers were left heartbroken for the reality star.

It seemed as though most viewers expected his Love Island star girlfriend Zara McDermott to meet him at the end of the bridge, where the friends and families of the eliminated contestants are usually seen tearfully hugging the stars.

But instead, fans of the gruelling ITV reality show were somewhat confused when instead of 26-year-old documentary-maker Zara, TOWIE star Pete Wicks met Sam on the bridge.

ITV

"Gutted for Zara that she couldn’t be there when Sam was crowned King of the Jungle tbh! What a moment that would have been for her #ImACeleb," one viewer wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"Find it a bit odd that Zara didn’t show up at the finale for Sam #ImACeleb," a second went on.

Another teased: "People who don’t know about Sam and Pete and Zara probably think Sam and Pete are a couple [laughing emoji] #ImACeleb."

And a fourth asked: "Anyone know why Zara couldn’t be there for Sam’s big moment? #ImACeleb #ImACelebrity."

Hunky Essex womaniser Pete previously ventured into the jungle to surprise Sam during his last few days in the jungle, telling him how proud everyone is of him back at home, including Zara.

ITV

"The support you've had, you will not believe it," Pete, 35, told him. "Zara asked me to give this to you, alright?"

He then proceeded to lovingly nose bump Sam.

So, why did Zara miss the I'm A Celeb finale?

Well, it turns out that the former dating show star actually answered that question herself whilst appearing on TikTok star Grace Barry's Saving Grace podcast last week.

"You know Pete is the one going out to Australia over me," she told listeners. "Sam obviously thought I was still going to be in Strictly [Come Dancing].

TikTok/Saving Grace/GK Barry

"He had high hopes for me because obviously, the final is like a similar day to the Strictly final - and you need to go out there two weeks before."

Zara previously took part in the 2024 series of Strictly, during which she and professional partner Graziano Di Prima, during which they were the sixth couple to be eliminated, finishing in 10th place.

She went on to tell podcast listeners: "So, he had high hopes. He thought I was still going to be on the show so he had already asked Pete, and Pete's flight is already booked, so he's already signed up.

"So, anyway, Pete's off out there, and Pete's got a nice, two-week all-inclusive free stay at the Versace hotel!"