FRANKIE Bridge has insisted she took part in the “toughest” series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! yet.
The Saturdays singer, 32, came third in the latest instalment of the ITV series, which ended on Sunday with Emmerdale star Danny Miller being crowned the winner, and Coronation Street’s Simon Gregson taking second place.
In making the final, she beat her husband, former footballer Wayne Bridge, who took part in the programme in Australia in 2016 and came fifth.
She said her success was made even more impressive due to the show being filmed in freezing Wales.
Frankie pointed to Richard Madeley leaving within days after being rushed to A&E, saying: “Our series came with a lot of twists and turns, and I knew they were going to make it harder because last year they were quite restricted with Covid, but the trials were so layered, which made them harder.
“My snake trial, it was what it was. But when Naughty Boy and I did the karaoke challenge, it wasn’t just drinking the drinks, we also had to be covered in loads of horrible stuff and get really cold.
“The living conditions were really hard so yes, I would say we had it really tough even with Richard having to leave when he was unwell, that was a really big thing for us. Anytime anyone left camp it felt like three people let, not one.
“And then the storm. When we had to leave and come back in and start again… we definitely had everything thrown at us.”
During the show, fans thought the former popstar looked so glam because she’d broken rules to sneak a pair of tweezers into camp.
But she told MailOnline she begged ITV producers for lip balm after suffering from the cold.
She added: “People have said I looked like I had makeup on, but I didn’t. They are so strict we only managed to get lip balm because everyone’s lips were so sore, but we had to beg and say ‘please, please, can we have some lip balm.’
“My eyebrows… I would put soap on my toothbrush and brush my eyebrows – that was my trick! Before the castle I had my eyebrows laminated and tattooed. I don’t wear makeup on my days off but I always do my eyebrows, so it was my biggest thing when I went in there.”
The I’m A Celebrity’s finalists partied until 5am after the last show.
Danny, Simon and Frankie were joined for a knees-up at a posh hotel by David Ginola.
Winner Danny, 30, admitted he’d had no sleep as he was interviewed about being crowned King of the Castle on Sunday night.
He said: “Blame David Ginola.”
Later, Coronation Street star Simon, 47, added: “We celebrated in style. We had a very fine red wine, of course.”
A show source said: “The four more than made up for lost time, enjoying food and drink. It was a proper knees-up.
“They had to stick around until lunchtime to speak to TV shows like Good Morning Britain and This Morning then Frankie was due on Loose Women. As reunions with family had to wait, they decided to make the most of their last night together.”
Simon was runner-up, singer Frankie, 32, came third and football legend David, 54, was fourth in this year’s ITV series.
They all partied at the five-star Palé Hall Hotel in North West Wales after leaving Gwrych Castle.
The wine list features £400 bottles of Champagne and a 2004 vintage red wine at £400 a bottle.
