Former world heavyweight boxing champion David Haye has publicly addressed the fallout from his time on I'm A Celebrity South Africa, specifically his contentious relationship with fellow contestant Adam Thomas. The actor had previously revealed he was left "broken" by Haye's harsh comments and considered quitting the show entirely.
Haye's Controversial Comments and Camp Behaviour
David Haye's conduct in the jungle camp came under intense scrutiny following a series of controversial remarks. The former boxer faced criticism for sexist comments directed at his girlfriend Sian, whom he referred to as an "ugly bird," and for branding Adam Thomas as "useless." These comments came at a particularly vulnerable time for Thomas, who had declined to participate in a Bushtucker Trial due to the physical and mental strain of the experience.
Adam Thomas's Health Struggles Revealed
The 37-year-old Waterloo Road actor has been remarkably open about his ongoing battle with psoriatic arthritis, an autoimmune condition that causes him significant daily pain. Despite this challenging health situation, Haye showed little sympathy, stating he didn't "give a s**t" if Thomas was unwell. This dismissive attitude toward Thomas's chronic condition sparked considerable backlash from viewers and fellow campmates alike.
Haye's Post-Exit Explanation
After leaving the camp alongside The Only Way Is Essex star Gemma Collins on Monday, David Haye was questioned extensively about his relationship with Adam Thomas. The former boxing champion claimed there was "no bad blood" from his perspective, explaining his mindset through the lens of his athletic background.
"I've been immersed in tough boxing gyms since I was ten years old," Haye stated. "Literally fighting daily, much bigger men than myself, pushing myself to the limits, physically and mentally. I won the world heavyweight championship against a seven-foot Russian giant. So when a grown man tells me that a fun TV show - where we're being paid handsomely every single day - is the hardest thing he's ever been through, it's just not a frequency I recognise."
Haye went on to defend his overall behaviour in the camp, insisting: "I was actually on my best behaviour in there, honestly. I've spoken to Adam, I've said my piece, and some of what's still to air will speak for itself. I'll leave it there."
Adam Thomas's Emotional Response
On Monday evening, Adam Thomas took to social media to share his perspective with fans. The actor expressed gratitude for the support he received while also calling for kindness amid the controversy.
"Guys the love you have shown me fills my heart thank you for all your kind words," Thomas wrote. "But also in a world full of hate... Let's just be kind people! I don't like seeing all the negative comments about David. I've made piece [sic] with it, let's just move on."
The Full Impact of the Experience
Just days earlier, Thomas had shared a heartbreaking photograph from his time in camp, revealing the profound emotional toll the experience had taken. "Not going to lie, this picture breaks my heart, as I know on the inside what I was dealing with and truth be told I thought it was all my fault," he confessed.
The actor described his participation in I'm A Celebrity South Africa as "one of the toughest things I've ever been through, physically, mentally, and emotionally." He admitted that watching the footage back had been particularly challenging, revealing there were moments when he felt "pushed to my absolute limit" and times when he "didn't even recognise myself."
Thomas spoke candidly about how his arthritis affected him during filming: "Living with arthritis is something I don't really talk about, as much as I should do…but in there it really took its toll. My biggest fight was pretending to put on a brave face and trying to hide the pain! that can be exhausting within itself. There were days my body just didn't want to keep going, but I did."
Reflection and Resolution
The actor acknowledged he hadn't handled everything perfectly during his time in camp. "I wish I spoke up for myself sooner," Thomas reflected. "I wish I stood my ground instead of trying to keep the peace, but I've learned that being kind doesn’t mean being weak, and sometimes it takes going through tough moments to find your voice."
Since leaving the show, Thomas has worked through his emotions about the experience. "I've taken time to process everything, and I’m in a much better place now," he shared. "I let go of the anger, had the conversations I needed to have, and chose peace."
Thomas revealed there were moments when he "wanted to walk" and quit the show entirely, but his decision to persevere meant "everything" to him. Regarding his relationship with Haye, the actor offered a final perspective: "He broke me in there, he pushed me to my limits, and I’ve told David this and he's apologised and that's that! I've moved on now, am not one to hold a grudge."
