Sam Thompson: Working with Ant and Dec is one of ‘coolest things in the world’

Former I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here winner Sam Thompson has said working alongside presenting duo Ant and Dec is one of the “coolest things in the world”.

Thompson, 34, who was named king of the jungle after appearing on the ITV series in 2023, fronts its follow-up programme, Unpacked, alongside Capitol radio DJ Kemi Rodgers.

The pair, who return as hosts after presenter Joel Dommett announced he was leaving this summer, dive into the dramas of camp life alongside a panel of guests – as well as insights from the Geordie presenting duo themselves.

Working alongside Ant and Dec is one of the ‘coolest things in the world’, Sam Thompson has said (Aaron Chown/PA)

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Speaking at a press roundtable, Thompson said he could not believe he works alongside Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly.

“They’re so lovely,” he said.

“I’ve seen them more than they probably ever want to see me in their lives. I’m like that boy who used to sit on the living room floor with his parents and watch the jungle.

“They are literally the reason I wanted to do the jungle in the first place. To be able to work right next to them, it’s just one of the coolest things in the world.

“They are so gracious. They are so genuine. They just want you to do well. They’re your biggest cheerleaders.”

Sam Thompson presents the I’m A Celebrity sister show, Unpacked (Ian West/PA)

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Thompson said the pair bring a “little bit of magic dust” to the sister show as they are able to comment fresh off the heels of the latest trial or drama.

He added: “They live and breathe that show and that’s what makes the show so brilliant.

“They care; they’re so invested in how it goes. Like Ant wants that trial to be at least attempted to the best of your ability.

“You can still smell the camp on them and sat down getting interrogated, you’re going to get genuine, honest answers from the both of them.

“They’re not even there for that long and so it’s like that little bit of magic dust you get.”

Rodgers said she is still “so starstruck” working alongside the pair, who she watched on TV growing up.

She said: “It’s so interesting to get their immediate feedback and their immediate response about something they’ve done because obviously they present the show.

“They’re brilliant.

Kemi Rodgers said she is still ‘starstruck’ working with the Geordie duo (Ian West/PA)

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“They are national treasures. We love them.”

I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! will return for its 24th series on Monday November 16 at 9pm on ITV1.

It will be followed by the companion show, I’m A Celebrity…Unpacked with Rodgers and Thompson on ITV2.