Kings of the castle! Show move pays off
THE I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! winner was crowned last night, but experts insisted the trio of finalists had already “won” just by staying in the show until the end.
TV host Vernon Kay was up against Radio 1 disc jockey Jordan North and author Giovanna Fletcher.
Vernon, 46, was a hit with viewers as he looked to move on from a sexting scandal a decade ago. And he wrapped up his time at Gwrych Castle in North Wales shackled on a table for 10 minutes as various critters were placed on him with rotten fruit and veg.
Jordan, 30, who was locked inside a cage with snakes for the final challenge, was a relative unknown away from the airwaves but is set to hit a TV and advertising jackpot.
Earnings
Similarly Giovanna, 35, will be offered the chance to make more TV shows and have the pick of book deals.
Which will seem a breeze after a last trial that saw her eat a sheep’s testicle, bull’s penis and fermented duck egg.
Public relations brand expert Mark Borkowski said: “This series has been huge because of lockdown. They can all do well. The earnings with long- term TV options and working with brands is absolutely huge. We are talking deals worth six figures.
“For Vernon Kay, it about putting previous was bad publicity behind him and re- engaging people. He is a big name for retail and men’s fashion so he will do well. It makes him and Tess Daly a bit of a TV power couple again.
“He comes across really
Everyone’s a winner... finalists Vernon, left, Giovanna and Jordan warmly on screen and that is what people want.”
Jordan – who was caught up in the Omagh bombing in 1998 when his dad was stationed in Northern Ireland – was very popular with camp mates, with Beverley Callard saying: “He’s the kindest, gentlest person but also is just naturally funny. He’s gorgeous.” Mark added: “ITV know the audience love him so he could be a big winner.”
And the PR whizz predicts a similar whirl for Giovanna, saying: “Women generally do well if you look at winners like Scarlett Moffat and Jacqueline Jossa. There will be a lot of opportunities out there now.”