The live final of I’m A Celebrity South Africa was supposed to be a celebration, but what unfolded was nothing short of chaos! Tearful Adam Thomas was crowned Jungle Legend after an intense and dramatic showdown that had fans glued to their screens and, in some cases, boiling over with anger.
This year’s All Stars series has been a battleground of explosive rows, with Adam at the center of controversies surrounding bullying and heated spats. The tension reached new heights on Friday as the live final descended into mayhem.
As the final showdown unfolded, Jimmy Bullard accused Adam of being “abusive, aggressive, and intimidating” following a fiery row on the pre-recorded show. The drama intensified when David Haye launched a tirade against Adam, questioning his legitimacy as the winner, and several stars stormed off stage in protest.
The Meltdown: Jimmy’s Fiery Rant and Sinitta’s Furious Walk-Off
The explosive drama began when Jimmy publicly addressed the feud, admitting that his previous departure from the show had been tied to personal reasons, and the pressures of needing to say “I’m A Celebrity” in the challenge to receive his full pay. However, things quickly took a turn as Jimmy lashed out at Adam, accusing him of bullying him, a claim that left the audience in shock. “I don’t stand for abuse or intimidation,” Jimmy declared, demanding that Ant and Dec air uncut footage of the row.
Tearful-looking Adam Thomas (pictured) was crowned I’m A Celebrity South Africa’s Jungle Legend, after a chaotic live final in London on Friday night
This year’s All Stars series has been plagued with bullying rows and controversial spats between feuding cast mates – Adam, Jimmy Bullard (pictured) and David Haye
The show descended into mayhem on Friday as Jimmy accused Adam of being ‘abusive, aggressive and intimidating’ during an expletive row in the pre-recorded show last year
This led to an onstage battle between Jimmy, Adam, and David, with Ant and Dec struggling to maintain control. Sinitta, visibly angry, stormed off, declaring to the audience, “You weren’t there – it was aggressive and abusive.”
Ant and Dec Struggling to Keep the Peace
As the tension rose, the hosts tried to keep the peace. Ant defended the decision not to air the infamous C-bomb incident, explaining that it was “unbroadcastable,” but Jimmy was having none of it. “You didn’t show the full footage, it’s a liberty,” he retorted, refusing to back down.
Ant argued: ‘The reason we didn’t air the C-bomb is because that is unbroadcastable. I was there and I didn’t think it was intimidating. I was there Jim’
During Adam’s opportunity to speak, he said: ‘I take full responsibility for my actions and yes emotions were definitely running high in that moment’
As hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly struggled to control the fiery trio, Gemma Collins and Sinitta stormed off stage in fury
Storming off stage, Sinitta yelled at the audience: ‘Guys, you weren’t there, I was there and it was aggressive and abusive, we were shaking’
David Haye wasn’t any less vocal, criticizing the editing of the final episode and suggesting that the show had manipulated public perception to make Adam appear as the victim. As the dispute raged, Adam took the opportunity to apologize for his actions, acknowledging the heated moments but maintaining his stance: “I’ve never shown myself in that way before and I’m sorry for what happened.”
The Viewers’ Reaction: Divided Opinions
The drama didn’t stop on stage. Fans on social media were torn, with some expressing support for Adam, while others accused him of playing the victim. “Adam doesn’t deserve to win,” one viewer tweeted, referencing the C-word incident and calling out the way the show was edited.
On the other hand, some fans rallied behind Adam, saying they didn’t mind the unbroadcastable words, and were critical of the way ITV handled the footage. “We know Adam called Jimmy a C**t, but honestly, who cares? Jimmy’s used to worse in football,” one commenter said.
Behind-the-Scenes Tension: Craig Charles Speaks Out
As the dust settled, Craig Charles revealed behind-the-scenes details, explaining that the altercation between Adam and Jimmy had been much worse than what viewers saw on TV. Craig described Adam as “coiled like a spring” and “wound up” during the incident, making the row feel more intense than it looked.
“I was there, and I could see how deeply this affected Adam,” Craig explained. “We didn’t know the full extent of his pain. It wasn’t until the final day that I realized how badly it had affected him.”
While Adam was busy celebrating his win, David’s ongoing digs and his public accusations only fueled the fire, ensuring the drama didn’t end when the cameras stopped rolling.
Adam’s Vulnerability: Therapy and the Impact of the Feud
In a revealing podcast moment, Adam opened up about the emotional toll the feud with David Haye had taken on him. Breaking down in tears, he admitted that the experience had sent him to therapy, with his mind in turmoil over how he’d been treated. “It was like being back in school again,” he said, revealing how the bullying had affected his mental health.
The show’s editing controversy, paired with the onstage chaos, has left a mark on I’m A Celebrity fans, making this final an unforgettable, drama-filled spectacle that will be talked about for years to come.
What’s Next for Adam Thomas?
As Adam moves on from his I’m A Celebrity win, it’s clear the drama isn’t over. Will he be able to overcome the emotional scars from his time in the jungle, or has the I’m A Celebrity experience left an indelible mark on his career and mental health?
Stay tuned for more updates on the fallout from this explosive finale, as the drama is far from over.
