Amir Khan has addressed his exit from I'm A Celebrity... South Africa after he was voted out by his own campmates in a show first. History was made in the spin-off of the ITV reality show after the celebrities took part in a secret ballot to eliminate a fellow campmate.
Hosts Ant McPartlin and De Donnelly revealed the result of the ballot at the start of Tuesday night's episode, confirming that it was Amir who had gotten the most votes and would therefore be leaving camp in the new setting of South Africa's Kruger National Park, instead of the Australian jungle.
The former professional boxer, who was the third contestant to be eliminated from the first-ever spin-off of I'm A Celeb, said he had had a “great experience” on the show, having overcome his fears of spiders and snakes, but that it was now "time for me to go".
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"I’m really happy, honestly I had such a great experience here – made new friends,” he told the show's hosting duo. I got three trials, did so well and won a lot of stars for the team. Last time I came on I was scared of snakes, scared of spiders. I’ve overcome these fears… It’s probably one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Probably better than Australia.
"I’ve experienced everything I needed to… I’ve achieved what I want to achieve and it’s time for me to go now.” He added: “Even though I would have loved to have stayed in a little bit longer, sometimes what can happen is, if you stay longer, you can outstay your welcome. It was just a great experience and I’m just glad I had the opportunity."
And it's fair to say I'm A Celeb viewers were left fuming by the decision. @SarahFlygerian tweeted: "Amir got voted off?! Is there any point watching the rest of the series?! He smashed the trials AND provided entertainment! A HUGE mistake! #ImACeleb." @da1lymemes said: "No way amir just got voted out…MAKE THE VOTE PUBLIC #ImACeleb."
@Bufferb2012 wrote: "It's a f**kin joke #ImACeleb #imacelebrity [time] 2 switch off." @its_safff posted: "i'm sorry why did Amir get voted off. fuming. #ImACeleb." @alfcarringtong shared: "Who tf voted for Amir Khan best one in there #imaceleb." @Ioveshiro added: "So amir won them most of the stars and then they go and vote him off..okay have fun eating air #ImACeleb."
However, in his exit interview, Amir has revealed her actually wanted to leave. Asked why he said he wanted to leave camp when everyone had to do the secret vote, he said: "I didn’t want to see anyone else go to be honest with you. We were all having such a great time in there. I was enjoying it, too. I gave myself the confidence that I can do the Trials. I thought, ‘I’ve got no fear now.
"I can do these.’ I’d impressed myself. I hope people at home say, ‘Amir has made a massive difference to the first time [in camp].’ I’ve overcome what I wanted. I didn’t want to vote anyone else out. I thought, I’ll be the one to put my hand up. It’s best to leave on a good note than do something silly… which I think was coming!
"Anything could have happened, you can’t be good for that long! I’ll end up doing something silly, pulling a stunt, I’m just that kind of guy. I’m just so glad in a way I didn’t do anything silly, like Strawberry-Gate, and hopefully people will now remember me for going to the jungle and saying, 'He’s a good man.'"
And other I'm A Celeb viewers had already picked up on Amir's decision. @drugforangels said: "Why is everyone raging about amir being voted out like he didn't literally say he misses his wife and kids, has done 3 trials, and is content with going now JUST BEFORE they all voted #ImACeleb."
@Matts_Tweetin wrote: "Are you guys watching #imaceleb? Amir put HIMSELF up. when you have to vote someone out and someone volunteers it makes you feel less guilty for voting them." @xDiamond_Girlx added: "#ImACeleb I’m sure you’ll probably find that Amir dropped heavy hints he wanted to go and that’s why they all voted for him."
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