The fallout from the I’m A Celebrity South Africa 2026 season continued to dominate headlines as Craig Charles became visibly emotional during a live appearance on This Morning on Friday, April 24. Joining fellow finalists Mo Farah and Harry Redknapp, Craig opened up about the ongoing drama surrounding Adam Thomas, his clashes with Jimmy Bullard, and the accusations of bullying by David Haye.
As the tension from the I’m A Celebrity jungle seemed to spill over into the post-show interviews, Craig revealed that he had not realized the extent of Adam’s struggles during their time together in camp. The emotional toll of the show was evident on Craig’s face as he reflected on the heated moments, particularly the fallout from Adam’s confrontation with Jimmy Bullard and the fallout from bullying claims.
Craig Hits Out at Adam Thomas
In the interview, Craig stated that he and the rest of the campmates had no idea about the impact of David Haye’s “banter” on Adam at the time. He defended ITV, asserting that the network’s duty of care meant that they would have intervened if the situation had truly crossed a line. “We didn’t know. ITV have a duty of care. They didn’t think he was getting bullied enough to step in because they’ve got a duty of care,” Craig explained.
However, the conversation took an intense turn when Craig addressed the infamous clash between Adam and Jimmy. According to Craig, the argument between Adam and Jimmy had been much more heated than what was shown on TV. “Adam was so wound up, he was so aggressive, it looked like he was going to attack Jimmy, he was dropping F bombs and C bombs,” Craig shared. He revealed that the argument had been heavily edited to avoid showing the full extent of the row.
Despite the intense moment, Craig did not blame ITV for the editing, but he did acknowledge that the footage shown on TV did not truly capture the aggression of the confrontation. “They had to water down what we’d really seen but they didn’t water down our responses,” Craig said, referring to himself and Harry Redknapp. “People are thinking, ‘Oh, it wasn’t that bad,’ but we weren’t picking on Adam at all, it was just that what he did, and we saved him again.”
A Personal Betrayal: Craig’s Reflection on Adam
Craig’s emotions began to show as he reflected on his relationship with Adam. “I thought Adam was my friend, so we saved him again,” Craig said, fighting back tears. The grief was evident in his voice as he spoke about how the situation had been reduced to a “grudge match” in the media. For Craig, who had shared many laughs and close moments with Adam in the jungle, the post-show drama was hard to reconcile with the friendships he thought he had forged during their time together.
As Craig spoke, Alison Hammond, visibly moved by his distress, stood up and comforted him, offering a hug. “I’m gonna get up and give you a hug because that was a big thing for you to do,” she said, showing empathy for Craig’s raw emotions. The simple act of kindness from Alison helped Craig regain his composure as he continued to address the fallout.
The Impact of Social Media and Public Scrutiny
In an emotional outburst, Craig also expressed his concern for the toll the controversy had taken on the reputations of the contestants involved. “These guys have suffered, their reputations damaged,” he said, gesturing toward Harry Redknapp. Craig pointed out the toxic effects of social media campaigns that had targeted the stars since the show aired. He referenced the intense backlash Harry had received for simply expressing his opinion on Adam’s behavior during the show.
“It’s just that these guys have suffered, their reputations damaged. With this social media campaign, they’ve given this 80-year-old man dog abuse on social media,” Craig added. He also voiced his frustration with the public’s reaction to their comments, saying, “Just because he said, ‘I don’t like the way that Adam reacted.’ We didn’t like the way Jimmy reacted, we didn’t like the way Adam reacted.”
Craig’s Emotional Moment on Live TV
As the conversation continued, Craig’s emotions became harder to contain. He spoke about the devastation that the whole situation had caused behind the scenes, not just for Adam but for all of the stars involved. His voice broke as he reflected on how the lighthearted nature of their time together in camp had been overshadowed by the public disputes and the ensuing media storm.
“It’s just not fair,” he said, his voice quivering. The raw vulnerability Craig displayed on air was a testament to the personal toll that being part of the show had taken on him and the other contestants.
The Fallout Continues: Divided Fans and Public Reaction
Craig’s heartfelt words left a deep impression on viewers, with many fans taking to social media to show their support for the emotional star. The aftermath of the season has divided fans, with some taking Adam’s side and others criticizing his behavior. The debate continues to rage on, but for Craig, the emotional scars of the show appear to be far from healed.
As the I’m A Celebrity South Africa final continues to spark heated debates, one thing remains clear: the drama from the series is far from over. Fans eagerly await to see how the controversy surrounding Adam Thomas, Jimmy Bullard, and David Haye will unfold in the coming weeks. With Craig’s emotional response, it’s evident that the impact of the show goes far beyond the jungle — and for some, it may never truly be over.
Watch the I’m A Celebrity South Africa finale and stay tuned for more updates on this explosive story.
