After 19 days of tough jungle life, Michael Buerk was understandably relieved to be the third contestant voted off I'm A Celebrity on Wednesday. The veteran broadcaster smiled broadly as he was reunited with his wife Christine after a memorable appearance on the show, which included rapping with Tinchy Stryder and dressing up as a parrot for a Dingo Dollar Challenge.
© Photo: Rex"You wouldn't believe the relief. I really am," Michael, 68, said as he sat down for a post-exit interview with Ant and Dec. "It's not exactly the Garden of Eden down there." He added, "I thought the experience was worse than I imagined.
The regime was harder but the people were nicer than I imagined it to be. "I don't regret doing it, no. An idiotic part of me regrets leaving them. It's a bit like being in a high-security prison – you don’t want to get out." The star admitted that the lack of food had been difficult to deal with. "It's amazing how it alters your mood," he said. "People get down when they are hungry."
© Photo: RexMichael also spoke about his unlikely friendship with rapper Tinchy. "It was an attraction of opposites," he commented. "He's great, a really nice and interesting guy. The more you get to know him, the more you want to know." Nevertheless, the BBC presenter revealed that his favourite to win the show is X Factor's Jake Quickenden. Michael was the third contestant to be voted off I'm A Celebrity, after being pitted against Edwina Currie.
Jimmy Bullard was the first star to exit, followed on Tuesday on Nadia Forde.
