Gest was an early favourite to win the ITV show

The 53-year-old producer said: "It was a great ride. It just was fun. I loved every day of it."

Former EastEnders star Dean Gaffney was also voted off the show in a surprise double eviction.

Matt Willis, Jason Donovan and Myleene Klass will now go head-to-head in Friday's final.

Gest, a former favourite to win the show, said that when he first arrived in the jungle, he did not think he would last more than one day.

Gaffney took part in a number of trials

But he said the camp's "real camaraderie" won him over.

The producer amused viewers during his stay with his various tall stories, including saying he once got lost in the Grand Canyon for a week and that he had an assistant to brush his teeth.

Gest lost two stone during his two-and-a-half week stint and told presenters Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly that he would continue the healthy eating regime at home and avoid big American-style portions.

Gaffney was evicted an hour before Gest, after the pair had successfully completed a trial which involved collecting eggs while being pecked by several emus.

The actor was a late arrival to the jungle after being voted in by the public five days after the show began.

"I've had the most amazing experience of my life," he said.

"I came here a boy and I'm leaving a man."