Jungle queen Fiona O’Loughlin says she’s always been afraid of wealth

FIONA O’Loughlin has come out on top as queen of the jungle, and in her post victory interview she revealed a very uncommon ‘fear’ she has always had.

FIONA O’Loughlin is ready to live her best life.

After years of battling alcoholism, the 54-year-old has come out of the South African jungle as queen of the jungle winning I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!

“All I’ve ever wanted is enough of an audience to do my stand up and live well,” O’Loughlin told News Corp, sitting down after her triumphant win.

“Unfortunately I have always had a weird fear of wealth so it is not like I am a hungry person in that sense, I now know that I think I will be able to sort out a retirement on the back of doing my stand up, doing what I love, and being the mother I want to be, that they (my kids) deserve.”

Fiona O'Loughlin is the Queen of The Jungle after winning Channel 10's I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! Picture: Nigel Wright/Channel 10

The mother of five has never shied away from talking about her demons.

She came out of five months in rehab last year and in the jungle detailed the lengths she would go to in order to hide her addiction, revealing she would hide alcohol in her bra.

“I look back at that now with less sadness and more of that is the disease that I danced with,” she explained.

“I think it is more about my actions from now, more than my words, but I will always be happy to talk about it because the reality is only one out of 10 alcoholics make it.”

Winners are grinners! Picture: Nigel Wright

More broadly about the future, she added: “I am a very grateful happy lady. I have everything I need and all the tools I need to live for as long as I’ve got left and I certainly don’t feel like rushing that anymore. I don’t regret having lived through everything I have because this side is heaven.”

The comedian won the series ahead of singer Shannon Noll and boxer Danny Green, surviving living off basic food rations and competing in challenges to raise the $100,000 prize money and awareness for chosen charity, Angel Flight.

Looking ahead, O’Loughlin has a busy work schedule ahead of her.

Top three, Shannon Noll, Fiona O'Loughlin and Danny Green. Picture: Nigel Wright

She will kick off a national comedy tour at the upcoming Melbourne International Comedy Festival. and there’s strong talk of her and fellow I’m A Celebrity contestant Peter Rowsthorn starring in a TV comedy together based on their fictional characters, Ron and Brenda.

“Bring it on,” she smiled.

* The journalist is in South Africa as a guest of Channel Ten.