Ashley Roberts, the former Pussycat Dolls singer and star of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, has disclosed that she directly confronted her co-star, boxer David Haye, regarding what she described as his 'uncomfortable' and 'shocking' remarks during their time together on the ITV reality series. Roberts made these revelations during an appearance on This Morning, where she was interviewed by hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley about the escalating tensions within the camp.
Ashley Roberts Speaks Out on This Morning
During the interview, Roberts was questioned about a series of disputes involving David Haye, aged 45, and other campmates. She expressed that Haye's language and behaviour often crossed a line, stating, 'He just kept going and digging a deeper hole... I think my face pretty much said it all.' Roberts admitted that there were moments where she felt compelled to address his comments directly, explaining, 'There are points where I did confront him because I thought some of his language was quite shocking.' She emphasised that while attempts were made to understand his perspective, the situation became increasingly difficult, particularly in interactions with fellow contestant Adam Thomas.
Adam Thomas's Struggle with Arthritis and Clashes
The conflict gained significant attention following actor Adam Thomas's emotional account of his experience on the show. Thomas, 37, who was diagnosed with autoimmune psoriatic arthritis three years ago, revealed he struggled 'physically, mentally and emotionally' during filming. He shared that his condition caused frequent pain, making it challenging to participate in trials and daily camp life. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Thomas described feeling 'pushed to my absolute limit' and admitted there were times he 'didn’t even recognise myself.'
Thomas detailed specific incidents where Haye's comments exacerbated his distress. For instance, when Thomas was unable to participate in a trial due to his arthritis, Haye branded him 'useless'. Additionally, after Thomas smuggled chocolate into camp—a move that resulted in reduced food rations for everyone—Haye suggested that Thomas's portion should be smaller, leading to protests from other campmates like Beverley Callard and Jimmy Bullard. Thomas reflected on these events, noting, 'I wish I spoke up for myself sooner. I wish I stood my ground instead of trying to keep the peace.'
Family and Celebrity Support for Adam Thomas
Thomas's brothers, actors Ryan and Scott Thomas, publicly expressed their anger and support following the broadcast. Scott wrote on Instagram, 'It makes me so angry that you went through that... makes my blood boil!' while Ryan humorously noted, 'I would like to say I would stick up for you in there but he's not the guy to pick a fight with.' Celebrity friends also rallied around Thomas, with Ashley Roberts commenting, 'Adam bless you. You have such a big heart. I’m sorry you struggled in there,' and Carol Vorderman adding, 'I genuinely wanted to knock the t**t who was bullying you out.'
David Haye's Controversial Remarks and Backlash
David Haye faced further criticism from viewers and campmates for other controversial statements. In one episode, he bragged about dating a woman with 'the personality of a proper ugly bird,' clarifying that he believed less attractive women develop better personalities. Ashley Roberts and Scarlett Moffatt appeared horrified by these comments, with Roberts later describing the atmosphere as 'uncomfortable' and noting that she and other female campmates needed to 'take a moment to just breathe together.'
Fans took to social media to condemn Haye's behaviour, with many accusing him of bullying. Comments included, 'David Haye is an absolute joke and a bully' and 'There's a fine line between bantering and bullying and David Haye is certainly crossing it.' Reports also emerged suggesting that Haye typically uses artificial intelligence to review his public statements for offensiveness, but lacked this tool while in the jungle, potentially contributing to his unfiltered remarks.
Resolution and Moving Forward
Despite the conflicts, Adam Thomas has indicated that he has since spoken with David Haye, who apologised. Thomas stated, '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.' He emphasised his pride in not quitting the show and his commitment to kindness, concluding, 'We all face people and situations that try to break us, but sometimes those moments are what rebuild you stronger than ever.'
The ongoing drama has highlighted the intense pressures of reality television, with Roberts summarising the experience as 'tough in there.' As I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! continues to air, the fallout from these confrontations remains a focal point for both viewers and participants, underscoring the complex dynamics of camp life and the impact of public scrutiny on personal struggles.
