Comic king of the jungle

Bookies' favourite Joe Pasquale did not disappoint last night as he was crowned king of the I'm a Celebrity jungle.

09:12 07 December 2004

Bookies' favourite Joe Pasquale did not disappoint last night as he was crowned king of the I'm a Celebrity jungle.

The squeaky voiced comic sipped champagne as he celebrated his win over disgraced former royal butler Paul Burrell and nightclub owner Fran Cosgrave.

"It's been an experience," said the 43-year-old, who once vowed that he would never take part in the celeb show.

Still, the comic who shot to fame on New Faces in 1987 is set to make a killing from his crown as everyone from advertisers to TV bosses make a bid for his new star status.

"The sky's the limit. He has been given the chance to do pretty much whatever he wants," an insider told the Sun newspaper.

Dad-of-five Joe admitted he would miss his pet emus, named after presenters Ant and Dec, the most.

"They got me through the past couple of weeks. They just wanted a cuddle like everybody else," he said.

The comic will now be able to cuddle with wife Deborah after 16 nights apart - but one of the things he is also looking forward to is a proper toilet.

Famously constipated in the jungle, the comic said as he sat on the winner's throne: "I've been trying to get a throne for the last two weeks, I want a bit of porcelain under my bum."

Speaking about his last Bushtucker Trial where he was buried alive in a box full of water and rats, Joe said he felt like he might have the plague.

"It was physically hard to be in there, to feel their tails wafting under my hooter. One did a jobbie in my hair," he said.

Close second Burrell looked close to tears when the results was announced but hugged Joe and said he was "proud to be his friend".

"What a fantastic journey, what an amazing journey. I can't stop shaking," the former butler said.

"It was beyond my wildest dreams it has restored my faith in the British public and human nature, thank you."