AngryGinge Becomes King of the Jungle: A New Era in Reality TV
Morgan “AngryGinge” Burtwistle, the first-ever social media star to be crowned King of the Jungle, has taken the crown on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, after an overwhelming 13 million public votes—the highest in a decade. The 24-year-old, hailing from a council estate in Salford, Manchester, was left speechless as he thanked his fans, telling hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, “I never thought I could make it this far, let alone win. This is a dream come true.”
After three weeks of tough challenges in the Australian jungle, AngryGinge triumphed over 39-year-old Tom Read Wilson, who finished as the runner-up, and Shona McGarty, 34, who came third. The victory was a defining moment in the history of the reality show, as AngryGinge becomes the first influencer to claim the title, marking a shift in the landscape of reality television.
AngryGinge’s journey was far from easy. “I thought it would be tough, but it was harder than I imagined,” he admitted. “I did it for the experience, not to become King, but I’m mentally stronger than I thought I was.” The popular Twitch streamer, known for his no-holds-barred commentary on video games, showed fans a different side of himself—one that was more resilient than expected.
The social media star’s massive following, five million strong, helped propel him to victory, and ITV executives are thrilled with the record-breaking success of his appearance. The show’s first three episodes pulled in a staggering 12 million consolidated viewers, thanks to AngryGinge’s popularity with Gen Z.
The finale marked a celebration of friendships and growth. Despite being fiercely competitive, AngryGinge shared a deep bond with runner-up Tom, who reflected on his own personal journey in the jungle. “Being in the jungle teaches you to see things from an outward perspective,” he said. “The nature, the people, it’s a different way to live. It takes time to adjust.”
The show’s dynamics were also marked by Shona McGarty’s emotional moments, particularly her bond with rapper Aitch, who was eliminated before the finale. Although speculation about a potential romance between the two campmates swirled, Aitch cleared the air, describing their connection as purely platonic, with their shared love of music bringing them closer.
The final days of the competition saw the trio—AngryGinge, Tom, and Shona—tackling the Bushtucker Trials with determination. Each contestant faced their own unique challenge: AngryGinge, conquering his fear of spiders and rats, won all four stars for his team. Shona bravely took on a challenge involving rats and cockroaches, while Tom earned praise for finishing the grueling fermented duck egg and camel brain dishes.
When it came time for the jungle banquet, the contestants indulged in their dream meals: Shona chose prawns pil pil, AngryGinge went for a double cheeseburger, and Tom enjoyed smoked salmon. For dessert, it was a sweet ending with chocolate fudge cake and carrot cake all around.
The show’s success has been a milestone for ITV, which saw a huge surge in viewers aged 16-34, with a record-breaking 2.5 million in consolidated viewers from the demographic. Thanks to influencers like AngryGinge and Aitch, ITV has successfully brought younger audiences back to traditional TV, making I’m A Celebrity the ultimate platform for Gen Z.
Behind the scenes, both AngryGinge and Tom’s teams worked tirelessly to mobilize their fanbases, ensuring their stars stayed on top. The battle of the influencers was fierce, but in the end, AngryGinge’s connection with his audience and determination in the jungle helped him win the ultimate crown.
As ITV celebrates this new era of reality TV, fans are left wondering: What’s next for the new King of the Jungle? One thing’s for sure—AngryGinge’s reign is just beginning.
