Adam Thomas has openly credited his I'm A Celebrity South Africa co-star Gemma Collins with preventing him from quitting the reality show, revealing that her steadfast support was crucial during his most challenging moments in the camp. The actor, renowned for his role as Donte Charles on Waterloo Road, has been reflecting on his intense experience in the pre-recorded series, highlighting both emotional turmoil and physical health struggles.
Emotional Strain and Health Challenges
During a particularly tense episode, Adam appeared visibly distressed after former boxer David Haye labelled him "useless." This incident occurred as Adam declined to participate in a Bushtucker Trial due to his psoriatic arthritis, an autoimmune condition that causes significant joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Adam admitted that Haye's comments left him feeling "broken," especially after Haye later dismissed Adam's discussions about his physical limitations as "just not a frequency I recognise."
Gemma Collins as a Lifeline
In a heartfelt social media post shared on Tuesday, Adam expressed profound gratitude for Gemma Collins, who exited the show on Monday. He described her as authentic and supportive, stating, "From start to finish you was real, no act, no front, just you. The laughs, the tears, the way you were there for people when they needed it most, especially Me!" Adam emphasised that Gemma's presence was instrumental, adding, "If I'm being honest, if you wasn't in there I probably would've walked a long time ago. You kept it going for me more than you even know."
He praised her for displaying humility, empathy, and strength while consistently providing entertainment, concluding, "As a viewer, you MADE that show for me. No question. Should've been in that final, should've been crowned, but either way, you'll always be my queen of the jungle." Gemma reciprocated the sentiment in her reply, writing, "This bond will never be broken. You got me through," underscoring the mutual support that defined their time on the programme.
Reflections on a Gruelling Experience
Adam described his stint on I'm A Celebrity South Africa as "one of the toughest things I've ever been through, physically, mentally, and emotionally." He acknowledged that watching the footage back has been difficult, with moments where he felt pushed to his absolute limit and even unrecognisable to himself. Living with arthritis, which he rarely discusses publicly, took a severe toll in the camp, as he struggled to maintain a brave face and conceal his pain, which he found exhausting.
He confessed, "There were days my body just didn't want to keep going, but I did," and admitted to wanting to walk out on several occasions. Regarding his conflict with David Haye, Adam noted that Haye had apologised, and he has since moved on, stating, "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'm not one to hold a grudge."
David Haye's Perspective
When Adam expressed discomfort before a trial, Haye responded bluntly, saying he didn't "give a s**t" about the actor's illness. After his exit, Haye elaborated, explaining his background in tough boxing gyms since childhood, where he faced daily fights against larger opponents and pushed himself to extreme limits. He said, "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."
Despite the friction, Adam has since processed the experience and is in a better place, emphasising that meeting Gemma Collins was the highlight of his time on the show. This revelation sheds light on the profound impact of camaraderie in high-pressure reality television environments, where personal bonds can make the difference between perseverance and departure.
