'I'm A Celeb' finale exposes secret formula to winning in the jungle

After weeks of trials, tribulations, and gross tucker, the winner is crowned, and they have something in common with many other winners before them. 

In a thrilling conclusion to the eleventh season of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! Australia, former NRL star Sam Thaiday was crowned King of the Jungle.

The grand finale, which aired last night, saw Thaiday triumph over fellow finalists Reggie Bird and Matty Johnson, securing a $100,000 prize for his chosen charity, Find Ya Feet.

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Sam Thaiday was crowned the winner of I'm A Celebrity shortly after an emotional reunion with his girls. Image: Channel 10

The finale that had us feeling all the feels

This season’s final three - Sam Thaiday, Reggie Bird, and Matty J - each brought something special to the jungle, making the grand finale one to remember.

Reggie Bird, already a reality TV icon from her Big Brother days, once again proved why Australia adores her. Despite the challenges of jungle life, she tackled every trial with grit, humour, and a no-nonsense attitude that endeared her to fans all over again.

Matty J, the Bachelor-turned-family-man, surprised everyone with his resilience. While he entered the jungle with a reputation for being charming and easy going, he quickly proved he was much more than just a smooth talker.

But in the end, it was Sam Thaiday who won over Australia and took out the title of King of the Jungle. From the start, he was a standout - bringing humour, leadership, and an infectious energy to camp. Sam’s win wasn’t just about surviving the jungle - it was about inspiring others.

His journey showcased resilience, kindness, and an unwavering sense of mateship, all while raising $100,000 for his chosen charity, Find Ya Feet, which helps provide young Australians with the tools and confidence to navigate life’s challenges.

But here’s the kicker – all three of them, like so many jungle winners before, are parents of two kids.

Coincidence? We think not.

Look back through the show’s history, and a pattern emerges: Past winners: Miguel Maestre, Dylan Lewis, Liz Ellis, Skye Wheatley - all parents to exactly two kids. This season’s final three? Sam, Reggie, and Matty J - all parents of two.

It turns out that parenting two children might just be the ultimate jungle training camp. And if you’ve ever navigated the chaos of raising a couple of tiny humans, you’re probably more qualified to win IACGMOOH than you think.

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Miguel was a winner and also father of two. Image: Channel 10

Parenting vs. jungle survival – same, same, but different

Raising two kids means living in a constant state of mild-to-severe exhaustion, problem-solving on the fly, and surviving situations you were wildly unprepared for. Sound familiar? That’s because it’s exactly what the jungle demands, too.

Here’s why parents of two seem to have a secret edge when it comes to jungle life:

1. Sleep deprivation is your baseline

For most jungle contestants, sleeping in the dirt with a bunch of snoring campmates is a shock to the system. For parents? It’s just another Tuesday.

• Two-kid households run on interrupted sleep cycles.
• Jungle life runs on interrupted sleep cycles.
• You’ve already adapted - jungle, shmungle.

2. Living in chaos? Please.

One minute you’re refereeing a sibling argument over a stuffed toy, the next you’re stopping a toddler from eating dog biscuits.

• Jungle contestants panic over snakes dropping into camp. Parents live in a constant state of fight or flight.
• The jungle has “tucker trials”? Parents have done nappy blowout clean-ups in a moving vehicle.
• Reality stars struggle with campfire cooking? Parents have cooked three different meals for three different preferences in under 15 minutes while also wiping a nose and answering a math question.

3. You are a master negotiator

Have you ever managed to:

• Convince a three-year-old to wear pants?
• Keep the peace between two siblings who are both convinced the blue plate is “the best” one?
• Distract a kid mid-tantrum with a well-timed snack and a promise of ‘something fun later’?

Then you already have the skill set required to keep a jungle camp happy and avoid elimination votes.

Liz Ellis, also a parent. Image: Channel 10

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So… could you be the next jungle champ?

If you’re reading this with a Vegemite-smeared toddler on one side and a school-age kid demanding help with maths homework on the other, congratulations - you’ve already completed jungle training.

In fact, we’re starting to think I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! should just be renamed "I’m a Parent… Get Me Out of Here!" because let’s face it, raising two kids is the ultimate endurance challenge.

So, next time you collapse onto the couch after another day of wrangling small humans, just remember: if you can survive parenting, you can survive the jungle.

Originally published as 'I'm A Celeb' finale exposes secret formula to winning in the jungle