David Haye's Controversial 'Ugly Bird' Remarks Ignite Viewer Backlash
Former boxing champion David Haye provoked widespread outrage during Tuesday's episode of I'm A Celebrity: All Stars after making deeply sexist comments about his girlfriend Sian Osborne. The 45-year-old athlete described Osborne as having "the personality of a proper ugly bird," elaborating on what he termed his "ugly duckling theory."
The 'Ugly Duckling' Theory That Offended Viewers
Haye explained his controversial perspective to fellow campmates, claiming that less attractive women develop better personalities to compensate for their appearance. "Most ugly girls realise they're not pretty enough... they've got to have a personality to banter, tell jokes and stuff so people overlook the fact they're not aesthetically amazing straight away," he stated.
The boxer further asserted that "most super pretty girls are just idiots" because they rely on their looks rather than developing personality traits. When fellow contestant Beverly Callard challenged whether handsome men consequently have "shit personalities," Haye admitted he "doesn't really pay attention to guys."
Viewers expressed horror at these remarks across social media platforms, with many condemning the comments as blatantly sexist and outdated. Scarlett Moffatt visibly recoiled during the conversation, exclaiming "You can't say that, David!" while Ashley Roberts pulled her hair over her face in apparent discomfort.
A History of Controversial Relationships
This incident represents merely the latest in a series of controversies surrounding Haye's relationships with women. The boxer has generated significant media attention for his unconventional approach to romance, particularly his involvement in what have been described as "throuple" arrangements.
Haye has been in a relationship with Sian Osborne since 2020, and the couple have openly discussed their non-monogamous lifestyle. They have reportedly used dating app Raya to seek additional partners, with Haye's profile describing himself as a "selfish prick" with "deep-rooted complex demons."
Previous Romantic Entanglements
Notable connections include:
- Una Healy: The Saturdays singer was rumored to be involved in a throuple with Haye and Osborne, though she has consistently denied this, stating she only had a "lovely relationship" with the boxer.
- Helen Flanagan: The former Coronation Street actress reconnected with Haye after their initial meeting on I'm A Celebrity in 2012. She later revealed on Celebs Go Dating that she fell in love with him despite his existing relationship, describing their connection as "like fire."
- Zoe Gregory: Long before his polyamorous era, Haye dated Playboy Bunny model Zoe Gregory in 2003. Gregory has since described their initial encounter as "rampant and crazy and electric," recalling a particularly memorable fifteen minutes in Los Angeles.
Production Frustrations and Ongoing References
Despite Haye's reluctance to discuss his personal life on the ITV show, producers have reportedly ensured that references to his unconventional relationships feature prominently. According to sources, the boxer's "throuple" arrangements have been mentioned eleven times throughout the series, with presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly making five references and fellow campmates contributing six more.
"Producers were desperate to have David speaking candidly about his relationships," an insider revealed. "However, he decided he did not want to talk about his private life. Therefore producers have made sure that Ant and Dec mention it throughout the series."
The controversy reached a peak during Tuesday's episode when what began as Haye complimenting Osborne's cooking abilities quickly descended into his offensive "ugly bird" commentary. The incident has reignited discussions about appropriate discourse regarding women's appearances and personalities in contemporary media.
