Ant and Dec reveal telling David Haye comment after live final as they give their side of the story
The dust has settled somewhat after one of the most chaotic TV moments in history in last week's I'm A Celeb final.
The all-star series in South Africa really had it all, with nobody talking about the usual trials and iconic moments, but instead the drama that unfolded between several of the campmates.
Things seemed to take a turn for the worse when former boxer David Haye took a metaphorical swipe at actor Adam Thomas, accusing him of doing nothing after he refused to take part in a task.
The Waterloo Road star later accused the athlete of 'bullying', with Haye posting a bizarre response on social media, but he wasn't the only campmate who had problems with him in the final.
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Former footballer Jimmy Bullard also made claims about Thomas' behaviour, describing it as 'abusive, aggressive and intimidating', with the much-loved midfielder even threatening legal action.
This came after Bullard accused ITV of editing out crucial parts of his conversations, although Ant and Dec insisted that it couldn't be broadcast due to the strong language.
Now, as media reports continue to circulate about the explosive live final, which eventually saw Thomas crowned as the winner, Ant and Dec have spoken about what happened once the cameras stopped rolling.
Speaking on the Hanging Out with Ant and Dec podcast, Ant said: "I spoke to David first—he was saying, 'How brilliant was that?' I said it was certainly eventful TV, though I wouldn’t necessarily call it brilliant. We had a bit of a laugh and left it on good terms.
"Then I went over to Jimmy, shook his hand, and said, 'Look after yourself.' There was no confrontation—no shouting. And despite what was reported, I wasn’t flanked by security guards. One of them was just helping carry my bags to the car."
Dec added: "I saw David Haye on the way out as well. He said something like, 'What about that then? That should get you some good ratings'."
Ant concluded: "That’s just his background — he’s a boxer. That kind of calling out is part of his world, whether it’s in the ring or from the crowd."
Although Haye might have been chill with both Ant and Dec after the show, it seems that happy with what went down in South Africa, considering that reports suggest he was 'kicked out' of the studios by security and that he's planning to sue ITV for £10 million over claims that the editing damaged his brand.
Meanwhile, Thomas has also taken to podcast duties to share more about his emotional time in the jungle, suggesting that his experience has completely 'tarnished' his love for the show.
He said: "I just wanted to go back and experience it all over again. But it’s sad now because the way I always looked at this show, the way I perceived this show, it’s tarnished for me.
"The problem is now, I just can’t escape it. It’ll always be on.
"I used to sit down with my kids and watch this show, and now I won’t be able to do that. That’s the sad thing for me because it will just remind me of the experience I went through."
Everything that's happened since the chaotic I'm A Celeb final
With two potential lawsuits and plenty of bombshell interviews, the I'm A Celeb drama shows no signs of stopping.
Saturday 25 April
Adam Thomas speaks out for the first time after his win, writing on Instagram: "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.
"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."
Meanwhile, Sinitta also issues an Instagram statement, which reads: "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."
Gemma Collins also writes on Instagram: "What a show up!!! Absolutely disgusted with Jimmy and David’s behavior the biggest show up in TV history!!! What an EMBARRASSMENT!"
The Sun publishes footage of David Haye and Jimmy Bullard exiting the studio where the final was filmed, with David claiming on the phone: "We’ve been kicked out the show."
Sunday 26 April
The Sun reports Bullard is mulling legal action, with a source saying the reason he repeated the phrase 'abusive, aggressive and intimidating' nine times was because that behaviour from Thomas would be considered a breach of contract.
Monday 27 April
Appearing on TalkSport, Harry Redknapp jokes he thought he’d ‘gone to the wrong show’.
He said: "I thought it was The Jeremy Kyle Show. I’ve never seen so much aggravation.
"I thought I’m in the wrong studio here. All the crowd is shouting and things. Oh, it was a nightmare."
Sinitta appears on Good Morning Britain to explain why she walked out of the final, saying: "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."
Tuesday 28 April
A source tells The Sun Haye is looking to sue ITV for £10 million, claiming the show was edited to make him look bad.
The lawsuit is apparently to 'recover lost earnings' after his reputation took a beating following the broadcast.
Wednesday 29 April
Adam Thomas takes to his podcast At Home with the Thomas Bro's to deliver a blistering takedown of what happened on the final.
He said: "This is part of my DNA now, it’s made me the person that I am.
"It’s hard because right now I can’t see any light, I can’t see the positive in it."
Thomas went on to say he felt he had been ‘exploited’, adding: "I think you can see it at the end of it, I felt like I was just in the midst of it all and it wasn’t even about me."
Topics: Ant and Dec, ITV
James Moorhouse