The drama continues to unfold on I’m A Celebrity… South Africa as Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly face intense backlash over their handling of a tense and uncomfortable moment involving boxer David Haye and actor Adam Thomas. The controversy surrounding their failure to intervene during David’s shocking treatment of Adam has left viewers fuming, calling it a case of bullying that was allowed to escalate far too far. The hosts themselves admitted it was “not easy to watch” – but was it too little, too late?
In the latest I’m A Celebrity Unpacked podcast, the hosts revealed the uncomfortable truth that viewers were left to witness, as tensions between David and Adam reached a breaking point. Ant admitted: “It’s not a nice watch. David just kept picking and picking at him. Adam has had a rough time, and he’s not coping well. Clearly, the banter has crossed a line. But David wouldn’t stop.” Dec echoed his co-host’s thoughts, adding, “It crossed the line from banter to something far more uncomfortable. I don’t find it easy to watch.”
The drama reached its peak when David, in a shocking outburst, called Adam “useless” for pulling out of a Bushtucker Trial due to illness, sparking a wave of outrage across social media. Fans immediately slammed the show, questioning why nothing was done to stop the escalating tension – especially given that the series was filmed in advance. The burning question: Why did Ant and Dec – as the executive producers of the show – let it continue?
Fans Rage: “The Show Prioritized Drama Over Human Welfare!”
The criticism came thick and fast, with viewers blasting the production team and the hosts for failing to intervene when things got heated. One fan wrote, “The production team should’ve stepped in, like they did on Big Brother. It was uncomfortable to watch, and goodness knows how Adam felt. It was bullying, and the fact that no one stepped in shows they prioritized drama over Adam’s well-being.”
Another commented, “ITV should’ve shut this down the moment it started. Shame on Ant and Dec for doing nothing about it! They were just passing comments, allowing it to continue, and letting the bullying play out without any action.”
Even more furious fans pointed out that Ant and Dec, as executive producers, had the power to step in and put a stop to it – yet chose not to. “They could’ve stopped it when it was being filmed, and yet they didn’t. I expected better from them,” a disappointed viewer wrote.
The ‘Full Picture’ Still Not Revealed – Could David Be Called Out?
Despite the storm of anger, a small faction of fans hold out hope, suggesting that the full extent of the drama may not have been shown yet. Could the situation be addressed later in the series? Will David face the consequences of his actions, or has the moment been swept under the rug?
One fan noted, “We haven’t seen what happens next yet. Maybe David will be pulled up on his behavior later in the show. Fingers crossed ITV doesn’t let this one slide.”
As the I’m A Celebrity series continues to unfold, the audience is left hanging on a knife-edge. Will ITV address the controversy head-on, or will they let it simmer beneath the surface, letting the camp’s shocking drama take center stage without resolution? Fans are anxiously awaiting what’s next – and they’re not going to let this one go easily.
Stay tuned, because I’m A Celebrity South Africa’s drama is far from over – and with this new controversy, there’s no telling how much deeper the rift will grow. The ball is in ITV’s court now.
Will David Haye’s behavior be addressed? Will Ant and Dec’s handling of the situation come under further scrutiny? Only time will tell…
