David Haye and Jimmy Bullard Ejected from I’m A Celeb After Heated Clash: “We Tried to Speak the Truth”
The dramatic finale of I’m A Celebrity: South Africa 2026 took an unexpected turn last night, as contestants David Haye and Jimmy Bullard were escorted off the set after a fiery confrontation during the live broadcast. The cause of their ousting? A clash with fellow contestant Adam Thomas and show hosts Ant and Dec, which escalated tensions and resulted in ITV’s decision to remove the pair from the show.
Exclusive footage from the evening shows David, 45, and Jimmy, 47, leaving the studio in London, escorted by security personnel. David, visibly upset, was heard saying, “We’ve been kicked off the show. What’s going on?” as he walked with Jimmy, who chimed in, “They’ve thrown us out.” The pair had been involved in a heated exchange with Adam Thomas, 37, and ITV producers regarding their portrayal during the final.
The fallout began when Jimmy and David expressed their dissatisfaction with the way the show’s editing had portrayed them, especially in relation to their argument with Adam Thomas, who ultimately won the competition. Both men accused ITV of editing the scenes to favor Adam, prompting a back-and-forth confrontation that led to their removal.
“I was just trying to tell the truth,” David said on the phone to a friend, explaining their ousting. “It’s a reality show, but they didn’t want to hear it.” Jimmy, appearing frustrated, echoed his sentiments, confirming that their attempt to air grievances had backfired.
Behind the Scenes: Tensions Between Contestants and Hosts
The disagreement was far from just a personal dispute; it stirred a larger controversy about I’m A Celeb’s editing process and the manipulation of on-screen narratives. As the final aired, it became clear that some contestants were uncomfortable being placed alongside David and Jimmy after their vocal criticisms of Adam. Sources from the production revealed, “Some contestants felt uneasy having to stand next to them on stage, so we decided to send them home.”
Moments after the altercation, Jimmy and David were seen leaving the premises during the Unpacked post-show, where the aftermath of the finale was being discussed. In the parking lot, they briefly met Ant and Dec, who were also leaving the set. Ant offered a handshake to Jimmy, while David shared an emotional hug with the hosts.
In a surprising twist, it was revealed that both Ant and Dec had lost their composure during the live broadcast. When David began commenting on the backstage drama, Ant sharply responded, “You weren’t there,” further escalating the situation. Meanwhile, a visibly upset Adam Thomas left the set, his triumph overshadowed by the turmoil that unfolded on stage.
Backlash from Family and Friends
The incident has sparked outrage among Adam’s family, particularly from his wife, Caroline, who took to social media to express her fury. She lashed out at Jimmy and David, calling them “vultures” and condemning their behavior as “disgusting.” She also criticized ITV’s decision to air parts of the argument while protecting Adam’s image.
Gemma Collins, a close friend of Adam, also weighed in, calling the actions of David and Jimmy “disgusting” in an Instagram post. Scarlett Moffatt, another I’m A Celeb star, expressed her disappointment, revealing that Adam’s win had been marred by the drama surrounding the altercation.
Despite the controversy, Adam has received an outpouring of support from his fans. He posted a heartfelt message on Instagram thanking his followers for their unwavering support and vowing not to let anyone “dim his shine.”
The Fallout and What’s Next for I’m A Celeb?
As tensions continue to rise behind the scenes, questions loom about ITV’s editorial decisions and how the drama was handled. The incident has raised concerns about the ethics of reality television and the impact of post-production editing on the portrayal of contestants. It remains to be seen how this event will affect the future of I’m A Celebrity: South Africa and whether it will tarnish the show’s reputation or fuel further interest in its controversial format.
For now, the dust has yet to settle, but the chaos surrounding the finale has certainly left a lasting mark on this year’s competition. Will Adam Thomas rise above the drama, or will the public’s perception of his victory be forever tainted by the drama of the finale? Only time will tell.
