Comedian Seann Walsh has spoken about the 'very scary' Strictly Come Dancing kiss scandal that threatened to end his career, while also defending former boxer David Haye over his behaviour on I'm A Celebrity... South Africa. Walsh, 40, was photographed kissing his Strictly partner Katya Jones in 2018, leading to both of them splitting from their respective partners. Walsh's girlfriend Rebecca Humphries ended their relationship, while Jones separated from her husband, dancer Neil Jones.
Walsh's Career Under Threat
Walsh admitted the scandal was 'very scary' because it risked costing him his livelihood. He felt compelled to address the incident in his stand-up routine, as otherwise his act no longer felt authentic. Speaking on the White Wine Question Time podcast, he said: 'My act didn't feel like it was going to work anymore. People have ideas about you now, people have written about you. I don't even know what to do because everyone thinks you're like this, so I'm going to go and do my act, and that's not going to add up with how I'm being written about.'
He added: 'I'm going to have to be as honest as I can here, I'm going to have to drop the act, where I am completely myself, and tell my own version of my story.' The reaction to that honesty was positive, but he noted: 'You think the thing you love doing is going to be taken away from you so you won't be able to do it anymore. And that's very scary because stand-up is what I wanted to do since I was a kid.'
Defending David Haye
Walsh, who was the first contestant eliminated from I'm A Celebrity... South Africa, defended David Haye over allegations of bullying Emmerdale actor Adam Thomas. Adam claimed Haye 'bullied' him during the show, particularly after Haye called him 'useless' for declining a trial due to a medical condition. Adam also clashed with ex-footballer Jimmy Bullard when Bullard pulled out of a trial, putting Adam at risk of early elimination. Adam acknowledged his own behaviour but wished producers had shown the full outburst.
Haye has announced plans to sue ITV, alleging the show's editing was 'manipulated' to cause 'irreparable damage' to his brand. Walsh said he feels 'sorry for everyone in that situation.' When asked by the podcast presenter if he felt sorry for Haye, Walsh replied: 'Well anyone having to read negative things about yourself, it's going to make you want to react in some way. It's a difficult thing to steer. I'm just glad I wasn't there.'
Reflections on Strictly
Walsh acknowledged the gap between filming and the live finale didn't help. He said: 'Obviously I did Strictly Come Dancing. It didn't go to plan, let's put it that way.' He hesitated to criticise Haye, adding: 'I always hesitate to call out anyone that's going through it. With David, maybe David made some ill-judged choices. I just don't have it in me, no matter what he's said.'
