David Haye has caused controversy once again, this time with a series of comments about his I’m A Celebrity… South Africa campmate Adam Thomas. The former heavyweight boxing champion has reignited the debate surrounding his remarks, including branding Thomas a “chihuahua” and a “sick note.”
In a recent interview with The Sun, Haye expressed his unapologetic stance on the comments he made during the show. After his remarks on the show drew accusations of sexism and bullying, the 45-year-old boxer explained, “I didn’t know about Adam’s autoimmune condition, but I couldn’t care less.” He added that everyone has something they’re dealing with and that people often use medical conditions as an excuse to avoid difficult situations.
Adam Thomas Criticized as “Weak”
David Haye didn’t hold back when describing Adam Thomas. Despite being unaware of Thomas’s psoriatic arthritis, Haye maintained that he saw Thomas as weak, calling him a “chihuahua” in comparison to himself. “If someone can’t handle a bit of teasing, how soft is that?” Haye said, insisting that Thomas had a “soft, padded lifestyle” and needed to “get out there and get in amongst other males who are powerful.”
“I’ve grown up in gyms where we fight each other. If someone comes into the gym and gets punched in the stomach and goes down, that shows they come from a soft world,” Haye continued.
Comments on Women Spark Further Controversy
The boxer also continued to double down on his earlier controversial comments about women, including his girlfriend, Sian Osborne, whom he claimed had “the personality of an ugly bird.” He explained that “ugly girls” often develop better personalities than “pretty girls” who may never have to work on their character. This theory, which he has previously mentioned, was met with backlash on social media, with many criticizing his views as sexist and harmful.
Haye, however, maintained that he was simply speaking the truth. “If you’ve got ten supermodels, they’ve been told they’re beautiful their whole life, they don’t develop much personality. But the ugly girls, they have to work harder and develop better personalities to make up for what they don’t have in looks.”
The Fallout and Apology to Adam Thomas
Despite the uproar caused by his remarks, Haye insists he has no issue with Thomas personally. “I actually like Adam,” he confessed, though he acknowledged that his comments might have hurt the Emmerdale actor. “I apologized to him on the plane after the show,” Haye shared. “But I stand by what I said. If you can’t handle a bit of banter, maybe you need to toughen up.”
David Haye’s Approach to Feminism
When asked whether he considers himself a feminist, Haye’s response was less than conventional. “It depends what your version of feminism is,” he said. “If we were drafted to go to war, women wouldn’t be drafted in the UK. So, no, we’re not equal.” This statement only adds to the ongoing controversy surrounding Haye’s views on gender and equality.
Looking Ahead to the Finale
With the I’m A Celebrity South Africa final airing this Friday, Haye expressed no regrets about his time on the show. “Whether people think I’m sexist or a bully, that’s their opinion, based on a TV show that’s been edited,” he concluded. “I had a great time, I genuinely connected with everyone, and I’d do it again.”
The final will see Adam Thomas, Harry Redknapp, Mo Farah, Craig Charles, and Scarlett Moffatt compete for the title. Despite his rocky start, Haye remains confident that his time in the jungle was a success, even if it made some viewers uncomfortable.
