I’m a Celebrity proves a winner... for being kind
This year’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here champion was crowned last night. But the real winners were the viewers after a series that put kindness over conflict, writes Kathryn Williams
IN THE 16 years I’m a Celebrity has been on our screens, we’ve seen no shortage of memorable campmates and moments.
But for me, this year knocks them all into the dirt.
You can keep Paul Burrell’s bushtucker reactions, Gemma Collins’ histrionics, Myleene Klass in a white bikini and a decade-and-a-half ’s worth of bitching and fighting.
The class of 2018 is the best group of all, and it’s nothing to do with Nick Knowles’ singing, but because that lovely Harry Redknapp did it his way.
Before the show even started, the success of this year’s series was in doubt, with the absence of Ant McPartlin, but Holly Willoughby has proved she can manage Dec’s terrible jokes with enough dad humour of her own.
Her concerned approach while observing the Bushtucker Trials reflected the most caring and harmonious camp we’ve ever seen.
While there were cries of gameplaying – there’s no way Nick Knowles would generously give away a pillow away just to win, the man had a bad neck – consideration, generosity and support were the overriding sentiments of this year’s I’m a Celeb.
And fun played a huge part too. Quite simply, it was a joy to watch. Pure televisual escapism. While some pass off scenes of harmony and friendship as dull for viewers, I found seeing the campmates laugh, joke, mess about and sing and dance was just the ticket in a world with more than enough unpleasantness.
But in a camp of niceness, there was only one winner. There’s no point beating around the bush(tucker) any more – Harry Redknapp was a revelation.
We’d long seen him on Match of the Day or (more characteristically) Sky Sports News, leaning out of his car window in trademark fashion to update reporters on his latest transfer market wheeler-dealing. But the football manager was anything but a cliche during this iconic I’m a Celebrity appearance.
The laconic cockney who shied away from playing up to the cameras has been one of the most endearing characters the show’s ever signed up.
His love of his wife Sandra, his endless anecdotes, his attempts at flossing (the dance not the dental action), his relationship with his campmates and his wonderful commentary while undergoing tasks all ensure that we will thoroughly miss his presence on our screens each night.
I’ll never not laugh at “I need a wee, John” or forget his comforting shout of “yabba dabba doo!” at Noel Edmonds.
I’m not a long-time fan of I’m a Celeb, but I’ve tuned in to see Harry every night. He’s been a joy. I even downloaded the app to vote for him to win.
Series 16 has proved that it’s nice to be nice, especially when it gives us a laugh.
And sadly, in this day and age, we all need reminding of that.