Actor Gary Sweet has described his experience on the reality show I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here as transformative, following his performance as the runner-up in the 2026 series finale held in South Africa. Sweet, known for his roles in iconic Australian productions, expressed his surprise at reaching the top three. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be sitting here in the top three,” he stated during the finale. “It has changed my life.”
In this year’s competition, Concetta Caristo, a presenter from Triple J, emerged as the winner, earning the title “Queen of the Jungle.” She secured the top position alongside Sweet and former NRL player, reality television star, and social media personality Luke Bateman. Caristo’s victory not only granted her the title but also included a grand prize of $100,000 AUD, which she pledged to donate to Full Stop Australia, an organization dedicated to supporting victims of sexual, domestic, and family violence.
As the series concluded, Caristo shared her heartfelt mission to spread joy. In her words, “I just want to make people happy, and I just want to be happy. To me, I have to be positive.” This sentiment resonated with both the audience and her fellow contestants.
Sweet and Bateman also achieved recognition for their respective charities, with Sweet’s chosen organization, The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, and Bateman’s charity, Farm Angels, receiving donations in their names. Sweet, who has enjoyed an acting career spanning over four decades, is well-known for his roles in Police Rescue, Stingers, and recent projects like Mystery Road and Wentworth.
Fans of the show rallied behind Sweet, expressing their support on social media. Comments ranged from declarations of his deserving nature to enthusiastic calls for his victory. One fan remarked, “Gary deserves the win!! The bloke’s 68 and still keeping up with people three times younger! Absolute legend – level-headed, lovable, and like a dad to everyone. Go Gary!”
The excitement surrounding Caristo’s win was palpable, with numerous public figures congratulating her on social media. Mel Tracina, host of Big Brother and presenter on The Cheap Seats, took to social media to celebrate her victory, stating, “Always our Queen @concettaworldwide congratulations.” Model Rachel Hunter, who competed alongside Caristo this season, also praised her win.
As Sweet reflects on his time in the South African jungle, he continues to cherish the connections made and the impact of the experience on his life. With a career that has included marriages to fellow actors and the joys of fatherhood, Sweet’s journey through the competition has added another chapter to his storied life.
