Gemma Collins has spoken out in defence of Adam Thomas amid the ongoing row with David Haye on I'm A Celebrity South Africa, declaring she was ready to "protect" her close friend throughout their time in camp.
The former Towie star appeared on I'm A Celebrity: Unpacked this morning alongside Carol Vorderman and host Sam Thompson, where she addressed the tensions that have divided viewers.
"I think David Haye might have seen a weakness in Adam. There was times where I had to protect Adam in there," Ms Collins explained.
She made clear she would not have hesitated to intervene had matters escalated further.
"Well, basically, I knew if it was ever gonna get too bad I would be taking David on," she said. "If I feel that something's too much, I'm not afraid to step up."
Ms Collins also took a swipe at Mr Haye's boxing career during her appearance on the spin-off show.
"David used to lose a lot," she remarked. "That concerns me. I've got to say, there was a moment in there when I thought 'How is he a heavyweight champion? Bless you David, and you keep losing, hun'."
The 45-year-old suggested the former heavyweight champion's competitive history may have influenced his conduct towards Mr Thomas in the South African camp.
Gemms Collins has been showing her support for Adam Thomas online
|"I think maybe that got to him. But again, that just shows you we're all human," she added.
Ms Collins reflected on her approach to managing the situation, noting she had to remain composed rather than going "full GC mode" on Mr Haye, which she believed would have caused "a disaster" in camp.
The conflict between the two campmates erupted last week when Mr Thomas opted out of a Bushtucker Trial after feeling unwell and complaining of dehydration.
Mr Haye responded harshly within earshot of Mr Thomas and other contestants, branding the Waterloo Road actor "useless" and questioning why he should receive special treatment.
The star has recently claimed he needed therapy after his time on the show
|ITV
"Who gives a s***," the boxer said at the time. "He's a grown ass man. I don't like guys when they're a bit useless."
Fellow campmate Beverley Callard urged Mr Haye to show "sympathy and empathy" for Mr Thomas, who suffers from psoriatic arthritis, but the former heavyweight champion refused to back down.
Viewers reacted furiously online, with many accusing Mr Haye of bullying behaviour and calling for his removal from the show.
Thomas, 37, has since revealed he sought therapy following his experiences during filming.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The star has been accused of 'bullying' during his time in the camp
|ITV
Ms Collins has been vocal in her support for Mr Thomas on social media, sharing an emotional plea to her followers on Wednesday, urging them to vote for him in Friday's live final.
The reality star revealed that Mr Thomas had contacted her in distress earlier that day.
"There's stuff going on behind the scenes and Adam called me very upset this morning," she wrote on Instagram. "Adam was a CHAMP TILL THE END. Pure will always win. GOOD PEOPLE WIN IN LIFE."
She described her friend as facing "mighty headwinds" from "forces that would rather see him stumble" and rallied her followers to be "the wind in his sails".
Thomas has reached the final five alongside Mo Farah, Craig Charles, Scarlett Moffatt and Harry Redknapp, with the live final airing tonight on ITV1.