Jungle king Matt is our hero!

IAN CLARKE

There may have been disappointment across large parts of Norfolk as the county's singing star Myleene Klass missed out on being crowned queen of the jungle.

But the cheers were ringing out in one small corner in Dereham as relatives of former Busted band member Matt Willis celebrated his victory in the I'm A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here TV contest.

Matt's uncle Brian Willis - a Norwich park and ride bus driver with Konect - lives in Toftwood along with his wife Sally and daughters Kerry, 17, and Lauren, 12.

All were naturally thrilled that their “hero” Matt, 23, braved all the challenges in the Oz jungle to lift the top prize.

Matt himself was amazed to win on Friday night and the surprise was shared in Norfolk by Brian - whose older brother Kevin is Matt's dad.

And Brian's workmates ensured bus passengers using the park and ride on Saturday knew all about his link to the celebrity.

“They wrote signs and stuck them on the bus saying 'my nephew is king of the jungle' so everyone knew and they were all talking about it!” said Brian, who is known to Matt as “Uncle Bones.”

“I was most impressed that he ate bugs - and he must follow after me in that I used to eat maggots!”

All the family - as well as Sally's mother Chris Chaffe - were glued to the show throughout the series and made sure they texted in their votes for him.

They have been unable to make contact but are hoping for a big family party when he returns home to England.

Lauren said: “We are really proud of him that he won. My friends are jealous and say they wish they had a cousin who is so famous!”

During his stay in the jungle Matt showed real grit and was instrumental in the rescue of Malandra after she was left hanging in the treetops, despite his dislike of heights.

Cousin Kerry said Matt summed up the Willis family sense of determination.

“A true Willis never gives up!” she said.