Ashley Roberts, 44, has opened up about the chaos that unfolded during the live final of I’m A Celebrity… South Africa, admitting she’s still shaken by the events of the night, which she described as “unhinged.” The Pussycat Dolls star found herself caught in the middle of the explosive confrontation between Jimmy Bullard, David Haye, and eventual winner Adam Thomas, leaving her feeling vulnerable and uncertain about what was happening around her.
The dramatic showdown, which took place at London’s Apollo Theatre, was months in the making, having been filmed earlier in South Africa’s Kruger National Park. But things reached a boiling point when David and Jimmy reignited their feud with Adam, who had accused Jimmy of putting his position in jeopardy during a Bushtucker Trial. As the tension escalated, Ashley, who was seated next to David Haye, found herself caught in the crossfire.
“It was unhinged! I felt like I was on a Jerry Springer show,” Ashley told Heart Radio hosts Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston on Monday. “It was just unbelievable! People were walking off, and there were hands flying everywhere, there was yelling, emotions, and crying, it was wild! I don’t feel like I’m fully recovered, if I’m honest with you.”
The atmosphere in the studio became so intense that Ashley feared for her own safety, recalling, “I was just trying to dodge big man hands flying in my face. I thought at one point I was going to get smacked. It was absolute chaos.”
Ashley’s candid reflection highlighted how out of control the situation became, leaving not only her but other campmates visibly shaken. She continued, “It’s a shame really because Adam did become the legend, and I don’t think he was even able to enjoy it because of all of the drama that went on. He had a really tough time in there, and it was unfortunate that they had a moment to discuss things as adults and maybe clear the air a little bit. But instead, it was yelling and unfortunate behavior.”
The drama had been simmering for weeks, but it all came to a head when Jimmy and David lashed out at Adam. The two men, once teammates in the game, targeted Adam for his actions during a trial that had left him covered in ants. Jimmy claimed that Adam had been “aggressive, abusive, and intimidating” during the altercation, which caused the live finale to spiral into a chaotic mess.
Ashley’s comments came as no surprise, considering the level of tension between the campmates. In fact, she admitted to feeling “disappointed” by the behavior of David and Jimmy, calling it “horrific” and “just absolutely awful.” “My heart hurt a bit inside because there’s so much going on in the world, and for us to then treat each other like that… It’s a TV show, and it’s supposed to be entertaining,” she said. “I was just a little bit disappointed by their behavior.”
While Ashley seemed to have an internalized sadness about the situation, she also pointed the finger at David Haye, accusing him of exaggerating his “aggressive persona” for the sake of entertaining viewers. “I was angry because I was seeing the way these men were speaking to one another, and it made me really sad,” she explained. “The world is a crazy place already, and I feel like David was maybe trying to go in there with this persona to entertain people, but I think it really affected Adam.”
The friction between Adam and David had been a point of contention throughout the show. While some campmates were able to brush off the tension as “banter,” it was clear that Adam did not appreciate it. Ashley acknowledged this, admitting that the behavior from David and Jimmy went too far. “I think David and Adam had some lads’ banter that went a little bit too far. And I think it was uncomfortable for Adam, and he did stick up for himself at one point,” she said. “And then the part when him and Jimmy had that moment, I think at the end of the day, we are human and is it out of character for Adam to act that way when he exploded? Yes, and he had remorse and he apologized.”
Ashley’s comments came after Adam had already revealed in a podcast that the experience had a lasting impact on him, revealing that he was still struggling with the mental toll the experience had taken. He tearfully explained, “It was like being back in school again, and although it wasn’t physical bullying or anything like that, and I’m not saying it’s bullying, but he was just mind f***ing me. And I just never stuck up for myself whilst I was in there.”
The emotional toll on Adam was evident, and his wife, Caroline, has been vocal about her heartbreak over the way her husband was treated. “What should have been a night of celebration for everyone turned into a glimpse of a real jungle, watching a pack of vultures attack!” she wrote on social media. “I have never ever seen anything like the vile display that was demonstrated live on national television last night, on what is supposed to be a loved family show full of laughter and fun! Not one bit of that was fun, or ‘banter.’”
In the wake of the chaos, Caroline praised her husband for maintaining his composure in the face of adversity, stating, “Even though Adam, the kindest, most loving person was breaking inside, he somehow found a strength to stay calm, composed and once again stand up for himself.”
Ashley’s reflections on the finale were a stark reminder of the emotional weight that reality TV can carry, especially when personalities collide in such a dramatic fashion. The fallout from the finale continues, with many questioning the treatment of Adam and the behavior of some of his co-stars.
While I’m A Celeb fans continue to debate the actions of the campmates, it’s clear that the explosive final moments of the show left a deep impact on those involved, including Ashley Roberts, who admitted that she is still processing the events from that unforgettable night.
As for Adam, despite the bullying he faced, he emerged as the “legend” of the season, with many viewers rallying behind him for his strength and composure in the face of such intense pressure. His journey serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of staying true to oneself in even the most challenging circumstances.
Stay tuned as more details continue to emerge from the dramatic I’m A Celeb finale.
