The 2026 finale of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! South Africa ended up being one of the most chaotic endings in the show's history.
What was meant to be an all-star celebration turned into a heated on-air argument between winner Adam Thomas, former footballer Jimmy Bullard and David Haye.
During the live finale, they argued about the way the Waterloo Road actor reacted to to Bullard's decision to quit a paired Bushtucker Trial challenge.
It risked eliminating Thomas from the competition, who then flipped out at the ex Fulham star, allegedly calling him a 'c**t' several times.
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On final night, Haye stepped in to defend Bullard, arguing that Thomas had gone too far in how he spoke to him in camp.
Thomas pushed back, saying that he apologised and that Bullard's choice impacted the whole group.
Although whichever side you're on, it seems Thomas got the final laugh.
2026 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! South Africa voting percentages
As reported by TV Zone, the final voting percentages were:
- 58 percent - Adam Thomas (winner)
- 32 percent - Mo Farah (2nd place)
- 10 percent - Harry Redknapp (3rd place)
Redknapp told talkSPORT Breakfast on Monday (27 April) that he felt the finale was more like an episode of The Jeremy Kyle Show.
"I thought I'd gone to the wrong show," Redknapp told hosts Ally McCoist and Andy Townsend.
The former manager referenced Haye's behaviour throughout, with many viewers calling it 'bullying'.
"David, he was in good form, David Haye. But listen, we've been brought up in dressing rooms," Redknapp added.
"You two guys have been around football all of your lives. Banter.
"This wasn't strong banter, compared to what you've had in dressing rooms over the years, you just get on with it, don't you?
"It all got out of hand. People couldn't take a bit of banter, and it became a big issue."
Thomas 'ripped up his crown'
After the final, The Sun reported that Thomas allegedly 'ripped up his crown' because of another run-in with Haye.
"You're not a worthy winner," the two-time world champion reportedly said. And Thomas reportedly replied: "This is bullying."
In footage from the carpark, Haye claims he and Bullard were 'thrown out' of the studio on final night following another confrontation with Ant and Dec.
Audience member Emma Rothwell also claims that Thomas refused to shake Haye's hand.
“What you didn't see was that after the first time David was heckling Adam, during the ad break, David went over to all the final four on the sofa and to say ‘Hi’,” Rothwell said on her Instagram page Quirky Giraffe Gifts.
“And Adam just point blank refused [to shake his hand] and was like: ‘No, I'm not having this’.”
LADbible Group has contacted ITV and representatives for Bullard, Haye and Thomas for comment.
What have the campmates said about I'm a Celeb's chaotic finale?
Adam Thomas
Taking to Instagram following the explosive finale, the new King of the Jungle wrote: “I walked through this journey with my heart first, no matter what came my way… It was not always easy, there were moments that could have broken me, but I stayed true to myself and that is something I will always be proud of.
“I have realised that when people try to dim your light, it says more about them than it ever will about you.
“This experience has shown me my strength in ways I never imagined. Not because of any title or recognition, but because I stayed kind, I stayed grounded and I stayed real.”
He added: “Family means everything to me, and there is one person who has been my rock through it all. Happy birthday to my Beautiful wife, you have stood by me when things were tough and reminded me of my strength when I needed it most. I would not be who I am without you.
“To everyone who supported me, who believed in me and showed love, thank you, it means more than I can ever put into words.
“And to those who doubted me or tried to bring me down, I carry no negativity towards you. I have already won in the ways that matter most. I have love, I have happiness and I have stayed true to myself, and that is something no one can ever take away from me.”
Thomas concluded the post by writing: “I hope one day you can do the same,” alongside a red heart emoji.
Sinitta
Sinitta, who walked off during Friday’s explosive final, also shared a statement on social media where she explained that she ‘really wished everyone had been given a proper chance to speak’ so it ‘didn’t end up feeling hectic'.
She continued: “Before I walked out, all I wanted to say was this: I hate that people are being called bullies and that there’s bad blood between us. I had a wonderful time with everyone, despite one difficult incident, and I truly hope we can hold on to the life lessons and the incredible experience we shared together. I adore them all.’
“I also feel that the word ‘bully’ is a very serious accusation. It’s something I don’t believe should be used lightly. There are too many truly bad people in the world already, and it’s dangerous to label good people in that way.
“Adam apologised, and I thought that was a very grown-up thing to do. I also believe friendships and banter can sometimes be misunderstood when viewed from the outside. I simply ask people to try and see both sides.
“I also want to say clearly: I am not a bully either.”
During an appearance on Good Morning Britain today (27 April), Sinitta also revealed why she decided to walk off, saying: “I just thought, guys, I felt like they had just blown it.
"It’s like you had a point, yes, Jimmy didn’t deserve to be treated that way, yes, there was banter, but it actually felt like bullying to me.
“You know what, we have all lost why we are here now. Because you are all shouting and you’re all trying to get your things in. Now it does look like you’re bullies because you’re goading and saying stuff.”
Gemma Collins
After walking off the set during the I’m A Celeb episode, the GC, who came to Thomas’ defence, took to Instagram to say: “What a show up !!! Absolutely disgusted with jimmy and David’s behavior the biggest show up in tv history !!! What an EMBARRASSMENT ! To all the [sic] took part in the show it was a discredit to the production crew cast Ant and Dec biggest disrespect ever !!!
“Last night was meant to be a celebration instead it was very upsetting !! X Let’s hope Adam will find some energy to absorb his victory ! X.”
She also penned an Instagram Story which read: “Jimmy Bullard and David Haye should be absolutely DISGUSTED WITH THEMSELVES.”
Ashley Roberts
During an appearance on I'm A Celebrity... Unpacked Live after the final, the Pussycat Dolls star said: "I hope Adam enjoys it, I think he's been through so much, and I just hope that he can take a second, because I feel like he doesn't feel like he maybe deserves it because he's won."
Scarlett Moffatt
2016’s Queen of the Jungle also came to Thomas’ defence, telling Unpacked hosts Sam Thompson and Kemi Rodgers: “He does deserve it. It was hard in there, and he was amazing, and he was a friend to us all.
“It is really disheartening that he didn’t get to have that moment of glory.”
Seann Walsh
The comedian appeared to make light of the drama in a video he shared on Instagram.
In the clip, Walsh joked: "Bit of a mad one last night. Not as smooth as we would have liked. But that's what rehearsals are for, to iron out a few of the creases. Everything should be ok, see you tonight on ITV. What could go wrong?"
Topics: Im A Celebrity, Celebrity, TV, ITV
Anish Vij