Danielle Harold leaves I’m A Celebrity alone after cosying up to Pete Wicks at wrap party

Danielle Harold appeared ready to get back to the UK as she breezed through Brisbane Airport alone with her I’m A Celebrity hat balanced on top of her suitcases.

The EastEnders actress, 31, wore a simple comfortable grey t-shirt and shorts as she wheeled her luggage towards the departure lounge. She smiled and offered a wave to photographers as she had most of her face obscured by a large pair of aviators and seemed tired after the last few days of partying.

After becoming the fifth star to be eliminated, Danielle made the most of her stay at the glamorous JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort hotel as she and her co-stars lounged by the pool while sampling their range of cocktails. During this time, Danielle appeared to grow close to campmate and winner Sam Thompson’s best friend Pete Wicks, who had travelled to Australia to support the Made in Chelsea star.

While most I’m A Celeb campmates had their significant others waiting to meet them at the other end of the bridge, Sam, 31, opted to have Pete, 35, meet him rather than his girlfriend, recent Strictly contestant Zara McDermott, 26. During Danielle’s three days of relaxing, she and Pete were pictured cosying up together as they hugged and enjoyed a seemingly intimate conversation.

Body language expert Judi James told the Mirror that there were plenty of signs that the duo could be striking up more than a simple friendship – and that they “make a beautiful couple” – but that it could also all be very innocent.

Afterwards, all the stars – apart from early exiters Grace Dent and Jamie Lynn Spears – joined the boozy wrap party, which saw many selfies as the celebs danced the night away. At the end of the night, Sam even looked like he could do with a rest as he laid his head on Pete’s shoulder.

After winning the show, Sam explained why Zara wasn’t able to join him Down Under as he gave Lorraine Kelly a debrief of his jungle experience on Monday morning. The 64-year-old host said: “Zara couldn’t be there because she was doing Strictly Come Dancing, all the schedules didn’t really work out, but I don’t know if you’ve seen this. You should have seen her reaction and your family’s reaction when you won. It was amazing!”

To which Sam sweetly said: “You know what, I’ve seen a clip but I haven’t even properly turned my phone on yet but someone showed me and it made me cry! I was like that’s all my nearest and dearest, all of my friends and colleagues all being in that room together. I’ve never had that amount of people support me or need to support me for anything. It’s such an amazing feeling, quite overwhelming, I’m a very very very lucky person to have that around me!”

Later on the show, Lorraine had a sweet surprise message from Zara, who said she was so proud of her boyfriend. Zara proudly said: “Sam, I just want to say I don’t think the word proud even cuts it anymore because the way you carried yourself in that jungle, the way you made everyone feel so comfortable. You brought such a sparkle to that camp. I’ve never met anyone like you before. You are so beautifully unique. And you are incredible and I love you literally so much. And I cannot wait to have you back right here. Yay.” Sam was left touched by the message, sweetly saying: “I miss her so much and I can’t wait to get home to her!”