David Haye Faces Backlash Over Controversial I'm A Celebrity Behaviour
Former boxing champion David Haye has emerged as one of the most contentious figures in the latest series of I'm A Celebrity... South Africa. The 45-year-old athlete, who ultimately finished in third place, has been accused of bullying fellow contestant Adam Thomas and making a series of misogynistic comments that left campmates and viewers alike stunned.
Bullying Allegations and Hosts' Criticism
Since his departure from the jungle, Haye has faced severe criticism from fans, fellow celebrities, and even the show's presenters, Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly. The hosts publicly stated that Haye's conduct had "crossed the line" during his time on the programme.
"It's not a nice watch. He just kind of picks and picks at them," Ant remarked on the official I'm A Celebrity... Unpacked podcast, specifically referencing Haye's treatment of Adam Thomas. "Adam has had a bit of a tough time and he's not coping well. Clearly the banter has got too much. But David won't stop."
Dec concurred, adding: "It's kind of crossed the line from banter. I don't find it comfortable to watch."
Adam Thomas' Emotional Account
Adam Thomas, the 37-year-old actor, has spoken openly about his difficult experience with Haye, revealing that the boxer "broke and pushed him to his limits." Thomas, who suffers from autoimmune psoriatic arthritis, struggled physically, mentally, and emotionally during filming, and was labelled "useless" by Haye on camera.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Thomas reflected: "Since coming out, I've taken time to process everything, and I'm in a much better place now. I let go of the anger, had the conversations I needed to have, and chose peace." He acknowledged that Haye had apologised, 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!"
Misogynistic Remarks and 'Ugly Duckling' Theory
Haye sparked further outrage with comments about his girlfriend, Sian Osborne, describing her as a "lovely girl" with the personality of "a proper ugly bird." He elaborated with what he termed the "ugly duckling theory," suggesting that less attractive women develop better personalities to compensate, while "most super pretty girls are just idiots."
Campmates Scarlett Moffatt and Ashley Roberts appeared visibly shocked by these remarks, with Scarlett exclaiming: "You can't say that, David!"
Alleged Fat-Shaming of Gemma Collins
The controversy extended to Haye's interactions with The Only Way Is Essex star Gemma Collins, whom he allegedly fat-shamed on multiple occasions. During one exchange, when discussing food rations, Haye pointedly told Collins: "You need to eat tonight," prompting criticism from viewers who accused him of body-shaming.
Fans took to social media to express their dismay, with one writing: "Is David fat shaming Gemma AGAIN!!" while another questioned: "Can someone tell me how they have let this David wasteman fatshame our Gemma AGAIN??!"
Defence and AI Dependency Claims
Despite the widespread condemnation, sources close to Haye have defended his actions, claiming there was "no malice" behind his remarks. Interestingly, it has been alleged that Haye typically relies on artificial intelligence to review his speeches and social media posts for appropriateness, but lacked this "comfort blanket" in the jungle environment.
"His focus inside camp has always been the game, survival decisions and camp dynamics rather than trying to offend anyone," a source explained to The Sun. "Those who know him best understand there was no malice behind the remark."
Campmate Reactions and Aftermath
Several campmates have since distanced themselves from Haye. Scarlett Moffatt revealed she maintains regular contact with most of her fellow contestants but did not include Haye among those she speaks to frequently. Meanwhile, Beverley Callard expressed regret over not confronting Haye more forcefully during filming, admitting she was "disappointed" as she had previously been an admirer.
The controversy has dominated discussions around the series, with viewers debating whether Haye's behaviour constituted bullying or merely harsh banter. As the fallout continues, Haye's stint on I'm A Celebrity will likely be remembered more for these controversies than his competitive performance.
