Gemma Collins' Unexpected Support for David Haye Leaves I'm A Celebrity Fans Baffled
I'm A Celebrity viewers were left utterly stunned during Tuesday night's episode as Gemma Collins offered heartfelt comfort to David Haye following a Bushtucker Trial defeat, despite the boxer having taken swipes at her looks earlier in the series. The surprising moment of reconciliation unfolded after David and fellow red team member Ashley Roberts lost the "Wicked Watering Hole" challenge to green team rivals Adam Thomas and Craig Charles.
The Tense Trial and Immediate Aftermath
The four celebrities were tethered to bungee ropes with just ten minutes to retrieve as many golden nuggets from the ground as possible. When the green team emerged victorious, David was visibly frustrated, admitting the loss would "eat me up for a while." He acknowledged that the opposing team had successfully gotten under his skin, stating, "I don't like losing any rounds."
It was at this point that Gemma Collins, a member of the winning green team, stepped forward to offer reassurance. In a gesture that left many fans open-mouthed, she told David, "You're not a loser," before embracing him. When he insisted, "I am a loser," she continued with supportive words: "Don't be hard on yourself, tomorrow is another day, dust it off, you're always a champ. Love ya. Come on, it's not the end of the world."
Viewer Confusion and Social Media Reaction
The display of kindness sparked immediate confusion among viewers, who took to social media platform X to express their bewilderment. Many recalled David's previous comments about Gemma's appearance, including a remark about her weight during Friday's episode when he chimed in about her hair not being "thin."
One fan wrote: "Gemma I've never been a fan of but how sweet was she with David tonight! #ImACeleb." Another added: "Gemma is being nice to him even though he's been an absolute c*** to her! She's better than me! #imaceleb." A third viewer commented: "I wouldn't care Gemma. David needs to be knocked down a peg or two."
Background of the Feud
The tension between Gemma and David dates back to her arrival in the I'm A Celebrity All Stars camp last week. After losing a Bushtucker Trial to Craig Charles and missing out on a place in the main camp, Gemma vented her fury at David for insisting she shouldn't have water during an eating challenge. While consuming eight Critter Canapes made from blended ant eggs, Gemma had asked for a drink, to which David responded: "I didn't think you was allowed water until you'd finished. Forget about the rules, rules are the rules."
Gemma later branded David "evil" to fellow campmates and delved into gossip about his personal life, specifically questioning whether rumors about him being involved in "throuples" were true. She referenced his relationship with partner Sian Osborne and past links to Saturdays star Una Healy and actress Helen Flanagan, asking Adam Thomas: "Do you think all that throuple stuff is true?"
Complex Personal Dynamics
David and Sian have been known to spend time in what has been described as a 'throuple' arrangement, though both Una Healy and Helen Flanagan have denied being part of such relationships. In 2023, David's friend Mica Jova criticized Una for "trying to put a bad light" on David and Sian, describing them as "gorgeous souls" and "sweethearts."
Despite this complicated backdrop and their previous clashes, Gemma's decision to comfort David after his trial loss represents a significant shift in their dynamic. Her actions have raised questions about forgiveness in the high-pressure environment of the jungle and whether this marks a genuine truce or merely a temporary ceasefire in their ongoing feud.
The incident highlights the unpredictable nature of celebrity relationships within reality television, where alliances can shift rapidly and past grievances may be set aside in moments of vulnerability. As the series continues, viewers will be watching closely to see whether this unexpected display of support leads to a lasting reconciliation or if old tensions will resurface in future episodes.
