David Haye labels Adam Thomas 'fake' as he speaks out following I'm A Celeb feud: 'Professional victim!'

Lydia Davies

By Lydia Davies, 


Published: 23/04/2026

- 18:09

The boxer claims ITV cut 'more intense' scenes from the show

David Haye has launched a fierce verbal assault on Adam Thomas during an appearance on This Morning, labelling the Waterloo Road actor a "professional victim" who is "playing the victim card".

Speaking to the ITV presenters Thursday, the 45-year-old refused to back down from bullying allegations, insisting that footage not broadcast by ITV would reveal a different side to Mr Thomas.


Mr Haye declared: "He's a super sweet guy, but he's a professional victim, he is a professional victim."

The boxer claimed his fellow campmates would have the opportunity to share their version of events during Friday's live final.

David Haye

The boxer called his fellow campmate a 'professional victim'

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ITV

"Don't take my word for it, watch the live show, listen to what the other campmates say," he stated.

In a separate interview with The Sun, Mr Haye intensified his attacks on the former Emmerdale star, comparing him to a small dog breed.

He said: "Adam's like a kind of chihuahua. I'm more of a Doberman or a boxer or a pit bull or something. He's the chihuahua."

Mr Haye also dismissed Mr Thomas's autoimmune condition, psoriatic arthritis, which caused him to struggle with fatigue and dehydration during filming in Kruger National Park.

\u200bDavid HayeDavid Haye has been accused of 'bullying' | ITV

"I didn't know about it, but I couldn't care less," he added, doubling down on his "sick note" characterisation of the actor.

The former champion questioned Mr Thomas's resilience, asking: "If a few comments breaks him, how soft is he? How weak, how brittle-spirited is he?"

He added: "He doesn't need therapy. He needs to do some push-ups."

Mr Haye also alleged editing had shaped viewers' perception of events in camp, particularly regarding the confrontation between Mr Thomas and Jimmy Bullard.

Adam ThomasAdam Thomas allegedly attempted to kick Jimmy Bullard | ITV

"You didn't see what really happened. They edited that right down. It was a lot more intense. There was the C-bomb," he claimed.

The boxer suggested Mr Thomas had "broke character" during the altercation and was "absolutely gutted" about his outburst.

Despite his criticism, Mr Haye predicted Mr Thomas would emerge victorious in the competition, attributing it to sympathy votes.

"He'll probably win it off the strength of all the old biddies going 'Oh, poor Adam!' That's the narrative, it's a TV show, they cut it how they want to cut it," he told This Morning.

Mr Haye noted campmates Craig Charles and Harry Redknapp had received online criticism for not immediately defending Mr Thomas.

The Soap actor has spoken publicly about the psychological toll of his time in the South African jungle, revealing he has been receiving professional support.

Appearing on the At Home With The Thomas Bros podcast alongside his siblings, the actor disclosed that he had turned to therapy following his experiences with Mr Haye.

"I found it so tough," Mr Thomas explained. "When I did it 10 years ago, I was in a completely different mindset."

Adam Thomas

Adam Thomas needed therapy after his time in the jungle

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GETTY

The soap star described feeling trapped by the camp environment, unable to escape the situation as he would in normal circumstances.

"There's nowhere to hide," he said.

"I was always putting other people's feelings first before mine.

"It got to a point where I was like 'I am at breaking point here.'"

\u200bI'm a Celebrity...South Africa cast 2026

I'm a Celebrity...South Africa cast 2026

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GETTY

Mr Haye's stint on I'm A Celebrity... South Africa has been marked by controversy beyond his clashes with Mr Thomas.

The boxer sparked accusations of sexism after describing his girlfriend Sian Osborne as having "the personality of a proper ugly bird".

His comments left fellow campmates, including Coronation Street actress Beverley Callard and Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt, furious.

Mr Haye first appeared on Ant and Dec's reality programme in 2012 before returning for the all-stars edition.