ITV I’m A Celeb viewers stunned as David Haye lashes out at Adam Thomas in live reunion clash ‘Do you deserve to win?’

Lydia Davies
Fri, 24 Apr 2026 21:36:09 +0000

David Haye shocked I'm A Celebrity...South Africa fans on Friday when he confronted Adam Thomas live on air during the final, as the ITV show descended into chaos.

The former heavyweight boxer challenged the finalist over his conduct in a heated row earlier in the series.

Mr Haye, 45, questioned whether Mr Thomas, 37, deserved to win following his clash with Jimmy Bullard during the week.

"Do you think you deserve to win this after calling Jimmy the C-word a couple of times? Do you think you deserve to win it?" the boxer shouted out from his seat during the live reunion.

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Mr Thomas, who had previously been involved in a separate "bullying" dispute with Mr Haye, defended himself.

The Waterloo Road and Emmerdale star replied: "After the Trial, I deserve it, yeah."

The heated exchange quickly sparked a wave of reaction online as fans took sides over the on-air clash.

"It's all kicking off!" one viewer wrote on X, while another added: "This needed to happen."

Others backed Mr Haye, with one posting: "David is bang on!"

"Well done David for calling out this manipulative actor again," another wrote.

"Adam doesn’t deserve to win after his behaviour," a third added.

However, many viewers defended Mr Thomas.

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IT’S KICKING OFF 😭😭😭 #ImACeleb pic.twitter.com/sVk1RFegLx
— sᴜᴘᴇʀ ᴛᴠ (@superTV247) April 24, 2026

"Adam only told the truth. I don’t see the issue?" one person commented, while another branded Mr Haye "vile".

Another wrote: "David the fire starter, not surprised."

A further viewer added: "Maybe I'm not as woke as I think, but I don’t see the issue calling someone that when they’re being one, which Jimmy absolutely was in that situation."

The confrontation stemmed from Tuesday's pre-recorded episode, which saw Mr Thomas and Mr Bullard paired together in a Bushtucker Trial.

Campmates were tasked with retrieving cogs from an abacus before racing to place them on a box, with the slowest duo facing elimination.

However, Mr Bullard remained motionless as the challenge began while other contestants threw themselves into the task.

"Boys, I don't think I've got it in me..." he said, before bringing the trial to an abrupt end by uttering the show's exit phrase.

Mr Thomas was left furious by his partner's decision, as their pairing meant he too would be eliminated.

The pair exchanged heated words before Mr Thomas broke down in tears over his unexpected exit.

Presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly later consulted the remaining campmates, who unanimously agreed Mr Thomas should stay, securing his place in Friday's final.

The presenters were forced to intervene as the tense exchange unfolded in the London studio.

"David, we're going to come to this, we'll come to this a little bit later!" Mr Donnelly interjected, attempting to regain control.

Mr Haye continued, suggesting producers should ask Mr Bullard whether Mr Thomas deserved to win.

"We will! We are going to ask Jimmy later and we'll speak to you as well," Mr McPartlin responded.

The former boxer also claimed key parts of the original row had been edited out.

Mr McPartlin added: "There was a lot of stuff that was said that was unbroadcastable, which is why, look, we'll get into all of this later in the show! You'll all have a right to reply."

"I knew it was going too smoothly!" Mr Donnelly joked.

The live clash added to an already turbulent series for Mr Thomas, who had previously accused Mr Haye of "bullying", an allegation the boxer denied.

Mr Haye later claimed on an ITV spin-off Mr Thomas played the "victim card" during their disputes.

Mr Thomas addressed the earlier fallout on Instagram, writing: "He broke me in there, he pushed me to my limits, and I've told David this, and he's apologised, and that's that! I've moved on now, am not one to hold a grudge."

Following Tuesday's episode, Mr Bullard shared footage of Sinitta claiming the C-word had been used during the argument.

"Wow thanks @thesinittaofficial shame that wasn't shown! My version will be told Friday! Can't wait to see you all....well some of yous!!" he wrote.

Mr Thomas later said the row was "really random and unexpected", adding emotions had got the better of him in camp.