Angry Ginge’s win proves I’m a Celebrity has become too predictable

To the surprise of absolutely no one, Angry Ginge has become the very first social media star to win I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!

The TikToker, real name Morgan Burtwistle, was the clear winner long before he even set foot in the jungle.

He was a runaway favourite with the bookmakers from the start (who, particularly when it comes to the ITV reality series, can sniff a winner from a mile off) despite being relatively unknown compared to some of his very famous camp mates. 

Yes, he has a large following, is a hugely successful gamer whose social media rants often go viral but, at least until now, I’d say it was debatable that he’d reached full ‘celebrity’ status.

I imagine that no-one outside of his fan base will have known who he was. But none of that really matters.

For the last three weeks, the 24-year-old proved he’s a star in his own right which is ultimately what gets you the jungle crown. Well, that and being a care-free man adored by daughters, mums and nans alike without being seen a ‘threat’ to men. 

He was a good laugh, his inoffensive style of banter is always a hit with ITV viewers, and he was surprisingly soft for someone who has built a career on being ‘angry’.

But just because Ginge was destined to be King of The Jungle doesn’t make the show’s outcome any less frustrating.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s been a lot to enjoy about this year’s I’m A Celebrity – I loved the camaraderie and the genuine laughs in camp that were often hysterical thanks to the scathing, but not unkind, comedic genius of Ruby Wax. But that’s not to say it’s been without its problems.

Though I’ve always found them to be the most tedious part of the show, the Bushtucker Trials have become less threatening than in previous years – and unless they’re going to throw a soap star in a cage with a starved lion, I don’t see how they can maintain their impact for much longer.

Then there’s the fact that some of the more interesting characters left too soon.

I’m gutted we didn’t get to see more of Vogue Williams and Alex Scott, both much sharper and funnier than this series gave them credit for. And once Ruby left camp, the rest of the series was significantly duller and the laughs were few and far between. 

But, arguably, that’s because the voting system was always going to benefit its final four camp mates: Ginge, Tom, Shona and Aitch.

Whereas viewers used to have the option of a regular phone vote – which could have benefitted campmates like Ruby – since 2024 the only choice now is to vote through the official app which tends to benefit fans with a younger and devoted social media following than those who have been the most entertaining.

Practically, this meant that there were only two names that stood a chance at all of winning throughout the entire series: Ginge and his fellow Mancunian ‘lad’, rapper Aitch. 

And once Aitch was eliminated on Saturday night in somewhat of a shock result before the final, there was absolutely no one standing in Ginge’s way to the finish line – which was this series’ greatest flaw. 

Even though EastEnders star Shona McGarty was my jungle queen – courageous, kind, throwing herself into every single challenge and had absolutely no air of celebrity about her whatsoever – I knew she would never be a credible threat to Ginge.

Of I’m a Celeb’s 25 winners, only nine have been female, the last being footballer Jill Scott three years ago. 

Shona ultimately came third leaving just Ginge and Celebs Go Dating star Tom Read Wilson to battle it out.

I’ve seen comments scoffing at Tom being categorised as a ‘celebrity’ when his claim to fame is working on the reception of an E4 reality TV series. Like Ginge, though, whether he’s a ‘real’ celebrity or not, he is very clearly a star who has shone as brightly as anyone else in the jungle for the last three weeks.

His whimsical, impassioned and exquisite use of the English language alone has been unmissable television.

‘I’ve always had a penchant for a polysyllable,’ he said in his exit interview, after a montage of his best one-liners – including describing the experience as ‘a heady melange’ – played before him.

And his softness and zest for life felt almost otherworldly at times. 

I just hope his family, who he admitted regularly get asked if that’s his authentic self, will be asked that question far less now as it’s become abundantly clear during his time in the jungle that this really is just him.

He’s an angel, but there was absolutely nothing he could have done to win I’m A Celebrity, even if, like Shona, he too would have made a more than worthy winner.

Eventually, Angry Ginge’s crown was finally handed to him in last night’s over-stretched 100-minute final by last year’s equally predictable winner Danny Jones – one of the least memorable campmates in a series packed with entertaining talent.

It felt like a completely unnecessary ceremony when the winner was so abundantly clear. 

Still, none of this is Ginge’s fault.

He has been authentic, fun, and at times admirably brave for standing up to a crowd of celebrities 30 years his senior and has been one of the standout stars of the story.

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by his charisma and charm, even if he wasn’t my winner.

But I have one major complaint: this has been a one-horse race from the moment the whistle blew.

I’m A Celebrity is down a million viewers from last year but it’s not hard to see why. It’s become far too predictable and is suffering for it.

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing Ross.Mccafferty@metro.co.uk. 

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