ITV I'm A Celebrity's Sam Thompson predicts next series winner from 'strong' line-up

I'm A Celebrity winner Sam Thompson - who was crowned King of the Jungle in last year's series - has teased that he has some ideas on who he thinks will win the new series

Reigning I'm A Celebrity winner Sam Thompson says he thinks he will lose his crown as the king of jungle to a queen.

Last year's ITV king Sam, 32, is co-hosting the new ITV2 spin off show I'm A Celebrity...Unpacked with comedian Joel Dommett and radio presenter Kemi Rodgers. Sam said: "Who's gonna win? You can't ask me that! I have a top three who I think are going to win it, not who I want to win it. I will say this: I think this year there are a lot of strong women, really strong personalities which I think is going to be fascinating to watch. I think it will be a queen."

Asked the best way to win or go far on I'm A Celebrity, he said: "Everyone has up days, everyone has down days. Happy or sad it is about being yourself... It's such a boring answer, but there are people who will come in here who are like, 'ooh, if I do this, if I do that, maybe if I get a trial I can do this, and airtime'.

"It goes straight out the window. You get found out immediately if you have a game plan. You cannot be in a place like this and not be yourself. You just can't.

"I would say to anyone who's going to go far, it will be the person who just lives the experience. The best part about the jungle is the sounds, the routine of traipsing up and down there to get water, going out there and going into the Bush Telegraph, making friends."

Sam also admitted he is hoping the recent storms around the Gold Coast continue so the new camp doesn't have things too nice or easy. He said: "The best part about the jungle is the sounds, the routine of traipsing up and down there to get water, going out there and going into the Bush Telegraph, making friends.

"The worst part... when it rains, it sucks a little bit. So I kind of hope it rains a bit, because now I'm working as a viewer, I kind of want to see people struggling a little bit."

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! starts this Sunday November 17 from 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Companion show I'm A Celebrity...Unpacked launches at 10.45pm on ITV2 and ITVX following the main show.

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