Friday, November 21, 2008  | 
Survivor

25 days of survival on a South Pacific island without food, shelter and the day-to-day comforts most people are used to, is a remarkable feat. Add to the mix, physical and mental challenges, alliances made and broken, political intrigue, bribes, betrayals, fleeting visits from loved-ones and surprise twists and turns - all this involves playing a game - a true game of endurance.

Despite leaving the island for several days, allowing him some respite from the primitive facilities on the island, Guy returned stridently determined to play the game and win. But first he had to win over Imogen - the only person who had courageously endured life on the island for the whole duration of the series. It seemed like honesty was integral to the remaining island dwellers...and after Justin winning Immunity (for the first time), he was left with painful decision to make - who would have their journey brutally end and who would accompany him through to the final. It was Imogen's turn to leave the island, but not before Justin eloquently explained his decision, he said, "…who I feel deserves to win the most and would be the biggest threat… and who I choose has to walk away from here knowing that I've honoured the biggest compliment that I could ever give them."

After Imogen's departure we saw the boys return to camp for the last time. Realising they needed to let off some steam, the boys decided to burn parts of the camp. Waking up to find a Treemail, Justin with some trepidation read the riddle and found a surprisingly delicious breakfast ingredients laid out below for him and Guy to enjoy on their last morning.

As our web exclusive video and transcripts of the full Tribal Voting process show the final Tribal Council was full of surprises. Both men were asked to put forward their claim for why they should be voted as the Sole Survivor along with the votes of who should be crowned from the Jury members - David, Gabrielle, Elton, Nicolle and Imogen. Who had outplayed, outwitted and outlasted his worthy adversaries?

Beginning the proceedings this time was David who had this to say about his vote for Guy, "Guy, neither you or Justin's answers would stand up to cross examination, so fortunately, that's not part of the game, there's not confusion, you deceived the girls - without question - you knew I would not break my word to them, but I can't really blame you under the circumstances for doing it. I really have to blame the girls more, for falling for it. Good luck mate."

Looking like she hadn't spent the last 25 days on a tropical island with very little comforts, Imogen was up next casting her vote for Justin, she had this to say, "Justin know that you are getting my vote purely because I believe it has come down to who did the hard yards. I believe honesty, integrity and respect went out the window for both of you, so you're getting my vote because you did the most amount of days therefore I think you are worthy of being the Survivor."

Possibly surprising considering the existing friendship between Justin and Gabrielle, who cast her vote for Guy, she said, "Guy I voted you off once already in this show and I regret that a little, and I'm voting for you tonight to win because I do feel that you played the game the fairest, you deserve to win and also you made me giggle, a lot. I enjoyed being in camp with you, so good luck."

Not surprising was Elton with his vote for Guy, he said "Guy you get my vote tonight, I think because you're the most deserved guy in the group. You've done very well throughout the Reward challenges, Immunity challenges, you've been a terrific bloke on and off the island while we've been together, you're a super bloke and I look forward to having a drink with you tonight, hopefully as a Survivor King! Cheers mate."

Lastly we heard from Nicolle and she too, voted for Justin, she said "You've worked really hard every day at camp, you've been a great tribe member. I've really enjoyed the experience with you, you deserve to be here tonight and you earned my respect back by setting the record straight and telling the truth."

Australia's first Celebrity Sole Survivor is Guy Leech and here's what he had to say, "I'm absolutely shell-shocked, the battering I just copped in the last five minutes, is sort of hard to take but you know what? I still got up 3-2. The hundred grand that I have one is going to RideAid (link) which is a French charity which builds schools over in Cambodia for the orphan kids and every cent of that money is going to go to a good cause which is fantastic.

I'd like to say to the other contestants you've all done a fantastic job, I hope we're friends after this, the game is the game - it's a hard game and sometimes you make decisions that you might regret outside of the game itself. It's been a fantastic journey, I've had some of the highest points, some of the lowest points, but all in all it's been an unbelievable ride. Its something that I will never forget and it will go to my grave as being one of the great[est] experiences of my life. Thank you."

Guy Leech 2006-2008 Privacy StatementTerms Of Use