I’m A Celebrity: Giovanna Fletcher says winning feels ‘surreal’

She recently reunited with her husband Tom and their three sons after she was crowned the first-ever Queen of the Castle on Friday night. 

And Giovanna Fletcher discussed life since winning the 2020 series of I’m A Celebrity on Monday’s episode of Lorraine. 

The author, 35, joked that she feels like she’s been on a ‘nice camping trip with some random friends’.

Giovanna said her win is going to take a while ‘to digest’ and that she is still waking up in the middle of the night wondering where she is.

The mummy blogger added that her three sons Buzz, six, Buddy, four, and Max, two, now think they are princes and the family is moving into the Gwyrch Castle in North Wales.   

Giovanna told host Lorraine Kelly via video from her home: ‘It all feels so surreal, I feel like I’ve been on a nice little camping trip with some random friends that I’ve made. Turns out we were making a TV show, who knew!’ 

Talking about adapting to family life since winning the show, the star added: ‘They couldn’t wait to talk to me and tell me about it when I got back. They wanted me to watch bits of it and tell them things I’ve done. 

‘They actually thought that maybe we would all be moving into the castle now that I’m the queen and they are princes. I told them, I’ve had to break it to them that we are not getting the castle, that’s not part of the deal!’ 

Giovanna also admitted that despite there being a ‘lovely moment’ when they were reunited, the ‘fighting and tantrums’ have now resumed after husband Tom struggled with their bedtime routine during her absence.

She joked: ‘It’s back to normal now. There was a lovely moment with kisses and cuddles and all of that, and it doesn’t take long before fighting and tantrums!’ 

Giovanna also said that Tom has been using her I’m A Celebrity crown as a Christmas wreath on their front door. 

During her interview, the author also discussed her time on the show and sweetly revealed that her three sons got her through the gruelling trials. 

Giovanna explained that prior to joining the show, they showed their eldest son Buzz, six, footage of previous years to get him used to the programme’s format.

She said: ‘Buzz suddenly got really scared and said, ‘I don’t want you to do it, I don’t want you to be scared.’

‘So I made him a promise that if I went in there that he would see me laughing and having a good time the whole way.’

Giovanna said she decided to take part in the show as she ‘absolutely’ loves the series, which usually take place in the Australian jungle.

Summarising her experience, the blogger said she had a ‘wonderful’ time, even the tears at camp.

Giovanna sweetly revealed that she has made friends for life with her co-stars and said that she can’t wait to be reunited so she can hug them again.

She said: ‘I absolutely love the show. I think every year it comes on the screen and it’s the perfect thing for this time of year anyway. I literally went in because I love the show and wanted to have that experience, that’s it. 

‘I couldn’t believe it when I got called and asked to go on. I just had to clear it with Tom first and then I was like, absolutely. I just loved every second of it, even the tears. 

‘It’s such a wonderful experience and those 11 people, so amazing… I literally feel I could phone any of them and they would pick up and they would want to hear what I had to say, and they would want to help if they could or they would just be an ear.’

Over the weekend, Giovanna took to Instagram to share heart-warming snaps of herself returning home to her family after a month in North Wales. 

The author could be seen cradling her youngest son in her arms as Buzz and Buddy jumped with joy around her, before they too came in for a cuddle.

In a lengthy caption, Giovanna told her followers: ‘Mumma Gi here and I’m thrilled to say I’m home with my boys and Tom and soaking up all the kisses and cuddles I’ve missed. 

‘They’ve been extremely excited to talk to me about all the trials, wear my crown (they think they’re now Princes and that we’re moving into the castle), and then make me watch their new favourite show… @imacelebrity

‘Three weeks ago I walked into a Welsh castle and straight into the arms of 11 wonderful humans for what felt like the most uplifting, hilarious and emotional camping trip of all time.

‘Stepping out of your comfort zone can be a scary but amazing thing, and I’m so glad I took on this adventure alongside the incredible,’ she went on to tag all her co-stars.

‘It’s been a whirlwind 24hours and I can’t thank everyone enough for all the support – whether you’ve watched along and laughed (and cried) with us, commented or voted. It’s been a total blast. 

‘Huge love to @antanddec for being complete and utter legends – even when making me eat a bull’s penis. I also have to give a shout out to EVERY SINGLE person who works on the show – you helped make this so special.’ 

Giovanna concluded her message by saying: ‘And finally… @tomfletcher, I love you so much. Thank you for your endless love and support. Big love, your Queen of the Castle. Xxxx.’ 

Earlier in the day, Giovanna was able to catch up with her husband Tom soon after the result was announced, as the pair reunited with a phone call. 

Taking to Instagram on Saturday, the McFly star revealed they managed to fit in a call close to midnight after her historic victory. 

Tom shared a screenshot of their call, showing his wife’s name is saved as Gi wife Fletcher, and captioned his post: ‘First time speaking to my Queen!’

Commenting on the unusual contact name, he added: ‘I know her name in my phone is ridiculous!’  

The proud husband later shared another snap showing their three sons – Buzz, Buddy and two-year-old Max – waiting for Giovanna to get home.

All three boys could be seen sitting on a window sill as they looked outside in anticipation of being reunited with their mum after her three-week stint in the camp. 

Giovanna was crowned the first-ever Queen of the Castle on Friday night after making the final with Vernon Kay and Jordan North.

The 2020 series had to move from its usual home in Australia to Gwyrch Castle in North Wales amid the coronavirus crisis.