Anne Hegerty, best known as The Governess on The Chase, has spoken out following the controversial finale of I'm a Celebrity: South Africa, where Adam Thomas was crowned winner. The final descended into chaos after a heated row between Thomas and Jimmy Bullard over the Rancid Run trial.
Anne Hegerty's Support for Adam Thomas
Hegerty, who appeared on the 2018 series of the show and finished seventh, expressed her support for Thomas. She suggested that the public voted for him because they found him relatable and disapproved of what she described as bullying. "I think people could relate to Adam," she said. "People don't like bullying and they don't like someone nearly getting someone else sent home through no fault of their own. They mind those far more than someone swearing under pressure. This will raise Adam's profile so much. He's A List now!"
Adam Thomas Breaks His Silence
Thomas took to Instagram after his win, vowing not to let others "dim his light." He wrote: "I walked through this journey with my heart first, no matter what came my way. It was not always easy, there were moments that could have broken me, but I stayed true to myself and that is something I will always be proud of." He added: "I have realised that when people try to dim your light, it says more about them than it ever will about you."
Thomas also paid tribute to his wife on her birthday, calling her his rock. "Family means everything to me, and there is one person who has been my rock through it all. 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."
Jimmy Bullard's Account of the Row
During the final, Bullard explained that the argument started over stars for camp before producers revealed that contestants would be leaving. He claimed he had told producers he wanted to go and exited that way to secure his full fee. Bullard accused Thomas of being "intimidating, aggressive and abusive," but Ant McPartlin disagreed, saying he didn't find Thomas intimidating. This led to further chaos, with Gemma Collins walking off stage and Sinitta shouting at the audience before order was restored and Thomas was crowned winner.
Despite the tense atmosphere, Thomas has since reflected positively on his experience, focusing on staying kind and grounded. His emotional post also included a birthday tribute to his wife, underscoring the importance of family support.
