Tensions from the jungle of I’m a Celebrity… South Africa have exploded into full public view after boxer David Haye came under fire for his intense behaviour toward fellow campmate Adam Thomas — prompting rare on-air criticism from hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly.
The controversy began when Adam Thomas admitted the experience pushed him to his limits, revealing that Haye’s relentless pressure and comments left him emotionally and physically drained during filming. Speaking candidly after leaving the show, Adam said he “broke” under the strain, adding that the boxer pushed him “to his absolute limits” in camp.
His comments quickly sparked discussion across the series, with Ant and Dec addressing the situation in unusually blunt terms on the show’s companion podcast. Ant admitted the dynamic was “not a nice watch,” saying Haye appeared to repeatedly target certain campmates in a way that went beyond harmless banter. Dec echoed the concern, stating that the behaviour had “crossed the line” and became uncomfortable to watch at times.
Adam later expanded on his experience in a deeply emotional Instagram post, revealing the mental and physical toll the show had taken on him. He described moments where he struggled with pain from his autoimmune condition, psoriatic arthritis, which made the jungle environment even more challenging. Despite this, he expressed pride at not quitting the competition, saying there were moments he wanted to walk away but ultimately chose to stay and push through.
He also acknowledged that while tensions ran high between him and Haye, the pair have since spoken and the boxer has apologised. Adam insisted he holds no grudges, stating that he has now moved on and is in a better place mentally.
However, viewers saw the friction unfold on screen, including a major clash after Adam broke a camp rule by smuggling chocolate into camp, resulting in a punishment that reduced food rations for the group. Haye reacted strongly, criticising Adam’s actions and suggesting his portion should be reduced, leading to heated exchanges among campmates.
Further tension erupted when Adam withdrew from a Bushtucker Trial due to illness and dehydration, with Haye openly questioning his decision and calling out what he saw as weakness. The comments divided the camp, with some defending Adam’s condition while others sided with Haye’s no-nonsense attitude.
Despite the conflict, Adam’s emotional reflections after leaving the show painted a more personal picture of his time in the jungle. He admitted that watching the footage back was difficult and that he wished he had spoken up sooner rather than trying to keep the peace. Still, he emphasised that the experience ultimately made him stronger and more confident in standing his ground.
As debate continues online, the series has become one of the most talked-about editions of I’m a Celebrity… South Africa in recent years — with viewers split over whether the jungle pressure simply exposed personalities or went too far.
