David Haye Faces Backlash for Alleged Fat-Shaming of Gemma Collins on I'm A Celebrity South Africa
David Haye, the former heavyweight boxing champion, has emerged as one of the most contentious figures on this year's edition of I'm A Celebrity... South Africa. His fiercely competitive demeanour has drawn criticism from the outset, but now fans are accusing him of fat-shaming his fellow contestant, reality television star Gemma Collins, who is also 45 years old.
Tensions Escalate During Camp Trial Selection
The controversy ignited during Thursday's episode when David read out a note in the camp requesting two campmates to undertake the Retching Bull trial. Gemma Collins promptly volunteered David and former Olympic athlete Mo Farah, aged 43, for the challenging task. David responded with a pointed remark, saying, "You chucked us right in there, in the deep end." Gemma, visibly irritated, retorted, "No, you said today that you wanted to do something."
While David agreed to participate, Mo Farah declined due to not feeling up to it, leading Coronation Street actor Craig Charles, 61, to tentatively offer to take his place. Gemma emphasised the importance of the trial by stating, "We all need to eat tonight." David then interjected controversially, adding, "You need to eat tonight." Gemma attempted to lighten the mood with a joke, saying, "You know what I’m like without food." However, David pressed further, questioning, "Where were you last night and where was I last night? What did I eat last night?" This was a clear reference to the lavish banquet enjoyed by Team Rhino after winning previous challenges.
Fan Outrage and Social Media Reaction
The exchange did not go unnoticed by viewers, many of whom took to social media platform X to express their dismay. Fans questioned why David appeared to face no consequences for his comments, with posts such as:
- "Is David fat shaming gemma AGAIN!! #imaceleb"
- "He shouldn't still be allowed in, Seann should have stayed #ImACeleb"
- "Can someone people tell me how they have let this David wasteman fatshame our Gemma AGAIN??!"
This incident is not the first time David has clashed with Gemma. Earlier in the series, he refused to give her a drink of water, and when she commented on her thick hair, David made a suggestive remark, saying, "It definitely ain't thin." Gemma later confided in the Bush Telegraph, stating, "You know what? I'm not always used to people dealing with me in an abrupt manner."
Ongoing Controversy and Show Dynamics
The duo's strained relationship has been evident from the beginning, with Gemma mocking David's unconventional throuple relationship. David's competitive nature and blunt comments have consistently raised eyebrows, but the latest allegations of fat-shaming have intensified the scrutiny. Fans are now debating whether such behaviour should be tolerated on the popular reality show, which continues to air on ITV1 and ITVX.
As the series progresses, viewers are keenly watching to see if any repercussions will follow for David Haye, or if the controversy will simply add to the dramatic tension that defines I'm A Celebrity... South Africa. The show's producers have yet to comment on the matter, leaving fans to speculate about the potential impact on future episodes.
