© ITV/ShutterstockI'm a Celebrity's 2019 winner Jacqueline Jossa has revealed why she didn't hand over the crown in person to 2020 winner Giovanna Fletcher.
Reigning queen of the jungle Jacqueline Jossa has revealed why she didn't hand over the crown in person to I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!'s new Queen of the Castle, Giovanna Fletcher.
The former EastEnders actress skipped out on the opportunity to hand over the crown to Giovanna during the show's final last week, which has been a tradition in previous years.
Taking to Instagram Stories, Jacqueline explained her decision was based on "a couple of reasons".
Among them, rehearsals for her West End debut in A Christmas Carol and the current coronavirus pandemic.
© ITV/ShutterstockJacqueline Jossa, I'm A Celebrity 2019 winner
Related: I'm a Celebrity winner Giovanna Fletcher admits she cried a lot away from the cameras
"People are asking me why I didn't go and hand the crown over," Jacqueline said in a video.
"A couple of reasons. One, we are rehearsing for a West End musical and I literally don't have time to go to Wales and back. Also, we are going through a pandemic so it's not like the best idea ever to do that anyway."
Notably, the eliminated campmates also didn't return to the castle and instead watched via video call for safety reasons.
Expressing regret about missing out on the opportunity, she said she was happy to see third place finisher Vernon Kay place the crown on Giovanna's head instead.
"I think it worked really well how it worked with Vernon," Jacqueline admitted.
© ITVI'm A Celeb, Vernon Kay, Giovanna Fletcher
Related: I'm a Celebrity achieves staggering viewing figures for first final in Wales
"However, in different circumstances, I would obviously have loved to have handed it over to Gi. I really wanted it to be her from day one. Actually I should've put a bet on it, I'm absolutely gutted that I didn't. Fury!
"Anyway, well done to the Queen of the Castle! You know what it was so different this year but I kind of think it was needed to be a little different. Ant and Dec were on top form, they were so funny.
"I think visually it looked amazing. It looked quite grand and beautiful."
I'm a Celebrity airs on ITV, and The Daily Drop with Vick Hope airs on ITV2.
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