From Council Estate to Jungle King: The Astonishing Rise of I’m A Celebrity Winner AngryGinge.n

From Council Estate to Jungle Champion: The Unbelievable Rise of AngryGinge

He left the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! jungle riding in a Hummer limousine, a flower crown resting proudly on his head and a life-changing winner’s cheque on the way. But just five years ago, AngryGinge was earning £450 a month serving school dinners — living on a council estate with his nan and wondering how he’d ever escape the grind.

Now 24, the YouTube and Twitch sensation — real name Morgan Burtwistle — has just claimed a landslide victory in the ITV final, taking a staggering 65% of the public vote and beating finalist Tom Read Wilson, with Shona McGarty finishing third. Nearly 13 million votes were cast across the episode, watched by 7.1 million viewers nationwide.

Yet despite the sudden fame, the money, and the crown, Ginge insists:

“I still don’t think I’m famous.”

From Dinner Lady to Full-Time Streamer

At just 19, Ginge was working five days a week as what he jokingly called a school “dinner lady” at Clarendon Road Primary School in Eccles, earning minimum wage. He lived with his nan Julie, handing over £200 a month in rent — leaving himself just £250 to survive on.

But every night, inside his bedroom, a different dream was taking shape.

Gaming.

After eight months in the school kitchen, Ginge took a leap of faith. In January 2021, he quit his job and became a full-time streamer — a decision that would change his life forever. Today, he boasts over five million followers across social media platforms and a streaming career worth millions.

Still, one rule has never changed:

“Never forget where you came from.”

He added:

“I’ll always be the kid from the council estate. No amount of money or success changes that.”

A Childhood of Struggle — And Strength

Ginge grew up in Eccles, Greater Manchester, raised by his mum Michelle, 50, a single mother who worked three jobs to support him and his sister Tasha, now 27.

Life wasn’t easy.

He remembers being sent to top up the electric so it wouldn’t cut off overnight. He remembers begging for cinema tickets he couldn’t afford — sneaking in cheap sweets bought from Asda instead of pick ‘n’ mix. And eventually, when his mum was forced to sell the family home, Ginge moved in with his nan.

But he doesn’t look back with bitterness:

“It was tough at times, but I wouldn’t change a thing.”

During his time in the jungle, emotions often overwhelmed him — especially when he looked at photos of his family. When he was reunited with his mum and sister on the bridge, he broke down in tears.

He later said:

“She’ll never understand how much I appreciate and love her.”

A New Kind of Winner

Known for his explosive rants during live streams — usually triggered by losing at football games or watching Manchester United struggle — Ginge shocked many traditional I’m A Celeb viewers who had never heard of him.

But inside the jungle, he became an instant fan favourite.

He smashed the brutal eating trials. He bonded deeply with campmates like Ruby Wax and Lisa Riley. And he played a huge role in bringing a younger audience to the show — with the final becoming the highest-rated live programme of the year for 16–34-year-olds, capturing a phenomenal 74% share of the demographic.

“I Still Don’t Feel Like a Celebrity”

Even after winning the show that literally declares, “I’m A Celebrity…”, Ginge still rejects the label:

“I don’t like the word ‘famous’. I prefer ‘in the public eye’.”

Before entering the jungle, he admitted fearing impostor syndrome, surrounded by stars like Martin Kemp, Aitch, Shona McGarty, Lisa Riley, and Ruby Wax.

Yet once inside, he simply stayed true to himself — and it worked.

Outside the five-star JW Marriott in Australia after his win, huge crowds chanted his name as he stepped from the Hummer. Security had to sneak him through back routes to avoid the fans.

Still, he posed for post-jungle photos in the same Lightning McQueen Crocs he had worn through Brisbane Airport weeks earlier.

What Comes Next?

Despite missing out on “hundreds of thousands” in brand deals and streaming income to appear on the show — a decision he made purely to make his mum proud — Ginge’s future now looks enormous.

Insiders claim he could earn £5 million in 2026, with:

A renewed Red Bull ambassador deal
Fresh TV projects
A possible move into presenting

Yet his biggest wish right now is heartbreakingly simple:

“I just want to go see my nan… then my family and friends. Stream. Watch Man United. Coach Winton Yanited. Back to normal.”

From council estate to jungle king — AngryGinge’s rise isn’t just about fame.
It’s about loyalty, gratitude, and never forgetting who you were before the crown.