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Red Moon · 11-12-2008, 08:31 AM

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I'm A Celebrity winner Joe Swash reveals EastEnders girlfriend turned other cheek to jungle bum-pinching

I'M A Celebrity winner Joe Swash claimed yesterday that his new girlfriend had seen the funny side of his jungle bum-pinching antics.

The 26-year-old said EastEnders actress Kara Tointon knew it was "just a bit of fun" when he fondled the bottoms of TV veteran Esther Rantzen, 68, and tennis star Martina Navratilova, 52.

Joe, who played Mickey Miller in the BBC soap, added: "I just about escaped a lecture.

"I don't know why she's with me - but I love her."

The star, who has been dating 25-year-old Kara for five months, said he has been resting since arriving back jet-lagged from Australia on Monday night.

He explained: "The jet lag has been pretty bad and I've been keeping myself hidden away.

"It's been really bizarre - this has been the first time I've been properly out since I got back.

"I felt a bit institutionalised after being with the same people for so long. I've been trying to get my people skills back."

Since being crowned King of the Jungle on Friday in a show watched by 10million people, Joe said he has received dozens of TV and film offers.

He added: "I'm not allowed to talk about them though. I'm under strict instructions from my agent.

"But it's been really flattering stuff." He arrived in front of hundreds of screaming fans yesterday at the Central Theatre, Chatham, Kent, where he will play Buttons in the Christmas panto Cinderella.

Theatre bosses immediately presented him with a door-stop bacon sandwich to fatten him up for the role after he revealed he has lost a stone and a half.

He said: "I would have killed someone for a bacon sandwich in the jungle. But all I ate was rice and those horrible grubs and bugs.

"I'm really looking forward to the panto though.

"Timmy Mallet told me he was in one and I've been trying to learn my lines quickly. I've got them just about down now.

"It's been amazing the last week, though, a real whirlwind.

"I'm so grateful to all the people who voted for me. I feel really humble that they spent their hard-earned money on me.

"I didn't really think I was doing so much in there.

"This kind of stuff doesn't happen tome."

Panto producer Emily Wood said: "We never knew Joe was going to be in I'm A Celebrity when he signed up for the role. We were just told it was a reality show.

"But we all had our fingers crossed.

"It was so obvious seeing him in the jungle that he was perfect for the role.

"He'll be a big hit with the kids and families."

Source: Daily Record