How Dagenham diva Stacey has become a Jungle Queen

Her dippy, down-to-earth nature and irrepressible optimism wonher many fans both inside and outside the jungle.

Essex singer Stacey Solomon quickly emerged as the bookies'favourite to win the 10th series of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out OfHere as her cheeriness and determination earned her the respect ofher fellow camp-mates and the admiration of the viewers.

Until last year, the "Diva from Dagenham" -- the new Queen of theJungle -- was an unknown single mum, struggling to look after herbaby son Zach. Then she appeared on the X Factor, coming third toOlly Murs and eventual winner Joe McElderry.

But while both boys maximised the X Factor opportunity andlaunched pop careers on the back of the show, Stacey failed to landa recording deal.

Indeed, there were those who questioned her celebrity credentialswhen she was asked to go into the jungle alongside well-known starssuch as Nigel Havers and Britt Ekland.

But it quickly became apparent that Stacey was the contestant tobeat and the bookies singled her out as the favourite from thestart.

Despite admitting to fears of bugs and confined spaces, the 21-year-old never shied away from any of the challenges. She alsoimpressed when she took Olympic sprinter Linford Christie to taskover his sexist remarks and confronted Gillian McKeith over herconstant complaining.

The affection of her fellow contestants was obvious when theyleft the jungle. One by one, they all singled out Stacey as thecelebrity to win.

She also provided one of the funniest moment of this year'sseries when she threw the stone at Dom Joly during their spychallenge, hitting him in the eye.

But it was her positivity and ability to smile through thehardships that really set her apart from the other contestants andwon her a place in the hearts of the viewers.

On internet forums, one fan confessed that she'd had preconceivedideas about the Essex girl.

"I groaned out loud when I first saw Stacey going into thejungle, but how wrong I was about this young woman," she said."She's an absolutely fantastic person."

Another posted: "Well done Stacey, what a great sport you are."

And another viewer wrote: "What a completely lovely girl."

Prior to going into the jungle Stacey revealed that she wouldlove to secure a record deal or land a role in the West End.

Her sister Jemma told a Sunday newspaper: "Stacey is grateful forwhat she's got but I know she would love to have a record deal.

"She would love to do a proper album. It's always been her dreamto make a living from music and provide for Zach."

And I'm A Celebrity has certainly opened doors for previouswinners. DJ Tony Blackburn, actor Joe Swash, cricketer Phil Tufnalland singer Kerry Katona all landed lucrative advertising andpublishing deals after winning the show, while others have gone onto work as television presenters.

It's likely that the Diva from Dagenham will finally see herdreams come true and that record deals will now be offered to her.And the nation will have a new sweetheart.

CAPTION: An overjoyed Stacey Solomon is crowned Queen of theJungle on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here