Adam Thomas has spoken out after his dramatic victory on I’m A Celebrity South Africa, taking aim at those who “tried to dim his light” following a chaotic live final.
Despite being crowned the I’m A Celebrity legend on Friday, Adam, 37, was left visibly shaken and dejected as the finale descended into turmoil. The final moments were marred by outbursts from fellow contestants Jimmy Bullard and David Haye, who accused Adam of being “abusive and aggressive” during a prior confrontation.
However, Adam did not appear on the Unpacked spin-off show to discuss the aftermath, instead choosing to share a heartfelt Instagram post to express his gratitude towards those who supported him throughout the journey.
“I walked through this journey with my heart first, no matter what came my way,” Adam wrote, sharing a photo with his wife, Caroline. “It wasn’t always easy, and there were moments that could’ve broken me, but I stayed true to myself, and that’s something I will always be proud of.”
Adam went on to reflect on the emotional toll of the show, saying: “I’ve realized that when people try to dim your light, it says more about them than it ever will about you.”
His post was a tribute to his strength, not the title or recognition, but his ability to remain grounded despite the drama that swirled around him. “This experience has shown me my strength in ways I never imagined. Not because of any title or recognition, but because I stayed kind, I stayed grounded, and I stayed real.”
In the post, Adam also expressed deep gratitude for his wife, Caroline, calling her his “rock” and thanking her for reminding him of his strength during tough moments. He added, “Family means everything to me, and there is one person who has been my rock through it all.”
He continued: “Happy birthday to my beautiful wife, you have stood by me when things were tough and reminded me of my strength when I needed it most. I would not be who I am without you.”
As tensions escalated on the live finale, Adam’s twin brother Scott also defended him, commenting on the chaotic situation, which saw Gemma Collins and Sinitta storm off the set in response to the bullying claims. Gemma, who is a close friend of Adam, publicly supported him, voicing her outrage over the accusations.
The explosive fallout also saw Jimmy and David clash with Ant McPartlin, with Jimmy accusing the hosts of editing out crucial footage of his confrontation with Adam. David, backing up Jimmy, demanded an explanation for Adam’s actions.
The drama reached new heights as Sinitta and Gemma left the stage, with Sinitta calling the behaviour “aggressive and abusive.” Adam’s emotional toll became clear as he broke down in tears, expressing how deeply the experience had affected him.
Despite the tense situation, Adam remains firm in his message of resilience. “To everyone who supported me, who believed in me and showed love, thank you, it means more than I can ever put into words. And to those who doubted me or tried to bring me down, I carry no negativity towards you. I have already won in the ways that matter most.”
Adam’s heartfelt Instagram message concluded with a powerful affirmation: “I have love, I have happiness, and I have stayed true to myself, and that is something no one can ever take away from me.”
