Jessica, 26, has won over the hearts of the nation following her inclusion in this year’s series of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! after her exit from EastEnders earlier this year. From the offset, it was clear the soap actress wasn’t too keen on the life she was going to be living, which included being surrounded by insects and not being with her son, Noah. However, she lasted almost three weeks on the ITV reality show and revealed the people she told about her new career moved thought she would quit in less than a day.
After presenters Ant McPartlin, 46, and Dec Donnelly, 46, announced Jessica and singer Russell Watson, 54, had been eliminated from the competition, they both took part in the exit interview.
It was here the former soap actress was told by the hosts everyone had seen a marked improvement in her confidence and her ability to face her fears.
The mother-of-one said it wasn’t just doing the trials that made her stronger but living in the camp day-on-day.
“It was so far from my comfort zone,” she added, before telling her interviewers: “People I told I was doing I’m A Celeb said, ‘You’re not going to last’.”
However, the actress didn’t quit and was on course to become the first-ever Queen of the Castle given how viewers responded to her departure.
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Taking to Twitter, one fan wrote: “Why the f**k? Jess is gone?! Once again the British public proves they are c**p at voting. #ImACeleb #ImACelebrity.”
Another added: “I kinda saw Russell was going but sad about Jess #ImACelebrity #ImACeleb,” with a third posting: “Gutted for Jessica Plummer. She should’ve gone further than Vernon [Kay] and Shane [Richie]. #ImACeleb #ImACelebrity.”
“Absolutely shocked to see Jess go. Was expecting AJ [Pritchard] to go with Russ tonight #ImACelebrity,” a fourth shared.
Of the singer’s exit, a fifth opined: “I didn’t really like Russell but he was funny on the last few days #ImACelebrity #ImACeleb.”
According to the latest odds from Coral bookmakers, it seems Giovanna Fletcher, 35, is edging forward as the favourite to win this series.
The mother-of-three now stands at 6/4 to become the first-ever Queen of the Castle, creeping just ahead of BBC Radio 1 presenter Jordan North, 30.
At 7/4, it seems the Yorkshire-born contestants will have to push a little harder if he wants to be crowned the winner.
Television presenter Vernon Kay, 46, is currently in third place at 5/1 with Mo Farah’s, 37, chances at 10/1.
Coral spokesperson John Hill said: “Giovanna Fletcher is now the new favourite to win this series of I’m A Celebrity.
“She has really stood out over the last few days and has been the one contestant punters have been backing to win the series.”
Before this evening’s double elimination, four celebrities had already been voted off and these included former Coronation Street star Beverley Callard, 63, and journalist Victoria Derbyshire, 52.
The first contestant booted out the castle was Paralympian Hollie Arnold, 26, on Friday night, with West End star Ruthie Henshall, 53, leaving on Sunday.
I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! airs weeknights at 9pm on ITV.
