Tess Daly shares tribute to I’m A Celeb’s Vernon Kay as he comes third

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He came in third place during I’m A Celebrity’s live finale on Friday, narrowly missing out on being crowned the King of the Castle.

And as Vernon Kay’s departure was announced, his wife Tess Daly shared a heartfelt tribute to her husband, declaring: ‘He’s made us beyond proud!’

Upon his exit, the presenter, 46, admitted he’s achieved his goal of ‘making his girls’ proud, and insisted third place exceeded his expectations.

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Vernon was the first to leave the camp during Friday’s final – which took place in Gwrych Castle in North Wales for the first time due to the coronavirus pandemic – leaving Jordan North and Giovanna Fletcher in contention for the crown. 

His wife Tess, 51, gushed over the announcement as she took to her Instagram Stories to share a screengrab from the last FaceTime conversation they had before he went into camp three weeks ago. 

The Strictly Come Dancing host said on her Instagram Stories: ‘Wow. That was a rollercoaster. What a brilliant series. 

‘Vernon went in there and he wanted to make us proud and he’s done that with bells on. 

© Provided by Daily Mail ‘Yes, Vernon, the fridge is full’: His wife Tess Daly, 51, took to Instagram Stories on Friday night to thank fans for their support, congratulate Giovanna and tell Vernon the fridge is stocked up

‘Thank you so much for all your support and your votes because he wouldn’t have been in the final without you. 

‘Massive congratulations to Giovanna – Queen of the Castle. 

‘And I just can’t wait for him to come home. Yes, Vernon, the fridge is full.’  

Tess shared a collage photograph from her husband’s Instagram account, and accompanied it with a gushing caption.

She wrote: ‘LOVE YOU VERN What a rollercoaster… he went in wanting to make us proud, and he made us beyond proud!!

Proud!! As her husband’s departure was announced on Friday evening, his wife Tess Daly shared a heartfelt tribute to her husband, declaring: ‘He’s made us beyond proud!’

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‘He’s a winner in our eyes and we’re just chuffed to have him home! But that cashmere blanket’s going straight in the wash… [laughing face emojis]’

Video: Another two stars leave the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! castle (PA Media)

Another two stars leave the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! castle

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‘Huge congratulations to @mrsgifletcher and a massive thank YOU for posting, voting, phoning and cheering him on all the way… the support has been overwhelming, we are stunned and so grateful xxx.’   

Speaking after his exit, Vernon told show hosts Ant and Dec: ‘[I’m] ecstatic. I’m over the moon to be in third place. It’s been an awesome camp, and [ecstatic] is the best word to describe it. It’s been well and truly awesome.’

Asked if he feels like he’s achieved his goal of making his wife and daughters Phoebe and Amber proud, the TV star admitted: ‘Yeh I really do. I think, third place for me is more than my expectations. 

© Provided by Daily Mail Excited! Tess shared a screengrab to Instagram from the last FaceTime conversation they had before he went into camp three weeks ago as she got excited about speaking to him again

‘It’s been phenomenal. It really has. I genuinely I think I’m going to take stuff out of that camp and really use it for the rest of my life.’ 

The Family Fortunes host admitted he was surprised to have made it all the way to the final, especially after the shock departure of Shane Richie on Thursday.  

When asked if he was surprised by his place, he said: ‘Yeah, I am actually. There were some real strong characters in there.

‘As we saw last night, that was a real shock that Shane left. That’s why I was like, “No way!”, it was a real shock.

‘He’d been that guy who propped up the morale in camp, he’d always been there with a joke, and all that means something when you’re in there.

© Provided by Daily Mail Ecstatic! Speaking after his exit, Vernon told show hosts Ant and Dec: ‘[I’m] ecstatic. I’m over the moon to be in third place. It’s been an awesome camp!’

‘We’ve had a lot of dips, and to be lifted up by him playing that role has been brilliant.’

Venon added: ‘We said today this is it this is the show, big tick, completed it, I’ve done every day!’ 

Offering advice to other celebrities yet to take part, he said: ‘It was everything and more it really was everything and more, and I think if anyone gets asked to do it in the future don’t even hesitate!’ 

Once out of the running, Vernon confessed he would love to see BBC Radio 1 DJ Jordan crowned King of the Castle. 

© Provided by Daily Mail Emotional: Teary-eyed, Vernon told his wife Tess Daly and their daughters Phoebe and Amber: ‘Tess I love you baby, forever and ever, and girls I hope I made you proud’ before his exit

He revealed: ‘They’ve both played real significant individual roles, they really have. Gi’s been there for everyone, but for the journey, for what he was and now what he is, Jordan [should win].’

After it was revealed he had come in third, Vernon hugged his competitors and said: ‘Well done you two, I’ve had the best time, you’ve been awesome.’ 

After Shane Richie’s departure on Thursday, the trio were in shock as they said goodbye to the EastEnders star.

Vernon said he was in ‘complete and utter shock’ with the result, and added: ‘He’s been a top bloke. It means the world for me that I’m in the final. I’m flabbergasted.

Growing teary-eyed, he told his wife Tess Daly and their daughters Phoebe and Amber: ‘Tess I love you baby, forever and ever, and girls I hope I made you proud.’ 

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