THE OFFICIAL CELEBRITY PAPER HAS ALL OF THE TOP STORIES We urge viewers: Vote for funnyman Pasquale
James Desborough And Garry Bushell
TODAY'S the big day Downunder - and The People is urging all readers: Make JOE PASQUALE King of The Jungle.
Funnyman Joe, 43, has won the nation's hearts on this year's I'm A Celeb and become the hot favourite.
He has stayed cool in a camp overrun with creepy crawlies - mostly of the human kind.
Bitching by slippery snakes Sheila and Sophie did not bother him. And he kept quiet while wombat Natalie Appleton acted the prima donna.
He even kept scrapping dingoes Janet Street Porter and Paul Burrell apart.
Clearly Joe's previous experience working in a lunatic asylum has served him well. From his brave skydive to his perilous helicopter Bushtucker Trial he has gone about his business without brags or boasts.
He has even played camp doctor, examining Fran Cosgrave's insect bitten bum.
And the last thing modest Joe has done is talk about his career, past, love life or his dreams of appearing on prime time TV.
Last night Joe's son Joe Junior, 16, also backed him to win - and turned the spotlight on the star's wacky family life.
He reckons his dad is safer in the Aussie jungle than he is on stage after the amount of time he spends in hospital due to mishaps in his act. The teenager, who also wants to go into showbiz, laughed: "I've lost count of the times we've ended up in accident and emergency.
"He's broken toes, fingers, damaged legs, arms and other parts - which I won't mention - and there's been scrapes and bruises by the dozen.
"Oh yeah, not forgetting the third degree burns. He sets his hands alight in the stage show, but it went badly wrong once.
"Essentially, my dad is a nutter. The best place for him is in the jungle - despite the bugs, mosquitoes and no food."
Joe Junior revealed his dad only entered the reality show so his wife Debbie, 40, could enjoy a holiday in the sun.
He was unsure about taking on the challenge but Debbie talked him round so she could stay in a plush hotel paid for by ITV.
Joe Junior said: "Dad asked all the family whether he should do the show - and mentioned to Mum that it meant her having to travel over to Oz with him.
"When she heard, that was it. Ten minutes later she was packed and already had a list of holiday essentials.
"There was no way Dad wasn't going into the show.
"Mum didn't even think for a minute about the perils he would be facing, she just wanted a holiday out of it.
"They'd not been away for five years. It's hilarious - she's lying there now in luxury. And she doesn't have to worry about his dinner while he's getting rice and beans."
Joe Junior reckons the lack of food has quashed comic Joe's usual upbeat nature and made him quiet in camp.
He said: "He was never going in there to crack jokes all the time but he has got tired without much food.
"My Dad is a naturally funny person - when we get in the car a CD comes on and off he goes.
"It's opera on wheels. One minute he's singing with Michael Crawford, the next Sarah Brightman. He really gets into the roles. Sometimes I have to grab the wheel because he's waving his arms around. It's the same at home. Our dog puts his paws over his ears when Dad sings. You can hear the dogs howling round the neighbourhood."
Joe Junior, who is attending a top London performing arts college, often finds himself in fits of laughter on days out with his pa.
He said: "Dad's never been a fame seeker, so he tries to disguise himself. He has this selection of silly hats and thinks no one will recognise him. Of course, it attracts people.
"He even hides his squeaky voice and sounds like Barry White's mum." Joe and Joe Junior may even work together as a double act one day - and he appears on his dad's Christmas DVD - The Everything I Have Ever Done and The First Of My Goodbye Tours.
He added: "I wouldn't change our relationship for the world. Dad's laid back, friendly, witty - a top bloke."
Before going into the jungle, Joe told People columnist Garry Bushell he had such doubts about I'm A Celeb at first he tried to put producers off.
He told them: "I don't booze, and don't smoke and I don't talk about people behind their backs."
In the end wife Debbie made him go. But to help him decide, Joe had written down all the good and bad things about doing the show.
He said: "I couldn't think of any one good reason for not doing it, other than I was worried about exposing my true personality on TV for that amount of time.
"Despite what people may think, I'm not just some squeaky-voiced gonk. And there are no skeletons in my cupboard, no scandals."
Everything is genuine about Joe - even the voice. He added: "This is how I talk, it's not put on."
Last night Joe was 1-4 on favourite to win.
But we say, don't leave it to chance - vote, vote, vote for King Joe.
Sundaypeople
Suzanne, what is brilliant about him?
