Harry Redknapp has described the live final of I'm A Celebrity South Africa as a 'nightmare', comparing the explosive scenes to The Jeremy Kyle Show. The 79-year-old former footballer, who won the original series in 2018 and returned for the all-stars edition, said the atmosphere was so tense he felt he had walked into the wrong studio.
The final saw boxer David Haye accused of bullying Adam Thomas, with claims that the Waterloo Road star was using his arthritis to avoid trials. Haye also faced criticism for sexist comments about women. After the public voted Adam the winner, arguments erupted live on air, with Gemma Collins and Sinitta storming off stage.
Redknapp defended Haye, telling TalkSport: 'David was in good form... We've been brought up in dressing rooms. This wasn't strong banter compared to what you've had in dressing rooms over the years. People couldn't take a bit of banter and it became a big issue.' He added that the final felt like 'The Jeremy Kyle Show' and that he 'never seen so much aggravation'.
Adam Thomas later revealed he has sought therapy due to the experience, saying it 'f***ed with me mentally'. During the series, Adam also clashed with Jimmy Bullard, who quit a trial and accused Adam of being 'abusive, aggressive and intimidating'. Ant and Dec intervened, with Ant insisting he did not find the behaviour intimidating.
