Liz Ellis’ ‘life-changing moment’ on I’m A Celeb

Liz Ellis might have won I’m A Celeb last night, but she tells news.com.au the real game-changer came earlier in the season.

Liz Ellis emerged victorious on Sunday night’s I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here finale, beating fellow finalists Harry Garside and Aesha Scott to take out the crown for 2023.

The retired netballing great turned broadcaster and commentator, 50, told news.com.au the morning after her win that appearing on the reality show had turned into something of a “life-changing moment” for her, after entering camp with one humble goal: “Try not to embarrass my kids too much.”

She said: “But as it went on, I started to assess a lot of things in my life – I realised, this is probably the first time in my life where I have absolutely no control over anything I’m doing.”

Ellis (right) with third-placed contestant Aesha Scott and runner-up Harry Garside.

Contestants truly are at the mercy of the show’s producers – they never know what time it is, aren’t sure if or when their next meals are coming, and are blindfolded whenever they have to leave camp to compete in trials. For a meal-prepping, working mum-of-two, it was a big adjustment.

“I’m a control freak at home, organising things weeks and months in advance, and letting go of that was a really good thing for me,” said Ellis, who plans to take what she’s learned and apply it to her family life.

“My family can’t stand up and thrive if I’m controlling everything around them, so that was a really big moment for me, to go: ‘Let it go, sister.’ That was a life-changing moment, and I think it’s going to have a big impact on the life of my family going forward – and something I didn’t think I’d have any sort of realisation about while I was in the jungle,” she said.

Ellis (left, on the netball court in 2003) said her sporting background informed how she played I’m A Celeb. Picture: Trav Munro

That ‘control freak’ mentality meant Ellis thought long and hard before even signing up for I’m A Celeb, eventually relenting after her daughter used some of her own motherly advice against her.

“I told her I was worried about the judgement and what other people would think, but she reminded me I’d always taught her to do what makes her happy and not worry about what other people think. I thought, that’s the last time I teach her something!” she said, laughing.

Ellis’ 30 days in camp weren’t without their challenges – she lost 7kg, struggled eating the “gross” food and missed her family terribly – but she also emerged as a natural camp leader early in the season. Co-host Dr Chris Brown even told news.com.au last week that other contestants seemed most motivated in challenges and trials by not wanting to let Liz down.

Liz Ellis is the new queen of the jungle.

“About a week in, a couple of the guys started calling me ‘Skipper’ and ‘Captain’,” said Ellis, who served as caption of the national netball team for four years.

“I didn’t set out to be a leader in camp, I think it just evolved that way – and I think my life experience in my sport informed it.”

Ellis has enjoyed a successful career in the media since retiring from netball in 2007, but appearing on I’m A Celeb has certainly exposed her to a new audience.

Hours after her win, she said she hadn’t yet pondered what winning the show might mean for her career.

“Part of me letting go is just letting the universe work its wonder and stop trying to control everything,” she said. “I’m just ready to enjoy the ride.”