David Haye has ignited a firestorm of controversy with a series of remarks deemed sexist during the second week of ITV's I'm A Celebrity, leaving fellow campmates and viewers deeply divided. The 45-year-old former heavyweight champion stunned the group with comments about women's appearances and personalities in a candid discussion.
Shocking Statements on Women's Looks
It all began innocently when the celebrities suggested a post-show party, and Haye mentioned his girlfriend, Sian Osborne, could provide food. He described her as "tall, blue eyes. She’s lovely," but then added, "She's got the personality of a proper ugly bird." When Scarlett Moffatt objected, saying, "You can’t say that," Haye brushed it off and elaborated.
Ugly Duckling Syndrome Theory
Haye continued, "Most ugly girls realise they're not pretty enough... they gotta have a personality to banter and to tell jokes and s**t, so people overlook the fact that they're not aesthetically amazing, straight away." He referred to this as "Ugly Duckling syndrome," where girls start off unattractive but become prettier with age, yet retain their earlier personality traits.
As shocked noises erupted from Scarlett and others, Haye pressed on, contrasting "pretty girls" with "ugly friends." He stated, "Everyone goes ‘You're so beautiful. You’re amazing’. She grows up thinking, I'm amazing... They don't have to have a personality, because most super pretty girls are just idiots. But then their ugly friend, they’ve got work a bit harder, be more personable."
Campmates React Strongly
Scarlett Moffatt was visibly appalled, retorting, "It is not just ugly people saying ‘would you like a drink’. What are you talking about? You are just talking s***." Actor Beverley Callard joined in, calling it "complete claptrap" and adding, "So do handsome men have s*** personalities? I have never heard anything so sexist in all my life."
Haye attempted to justify his views by recounting how only "pretty girls" were allowed into nightclubs in London's West End during his youth, leaving "ugly friends" behind. Beverley quipped that even with a shovel, he was "digging" a bigger hole for himself.
Hosts and Relationship Context
Show hosts Ant and Dec also weighed in, with Dec noting the comments "might be interpreted as sexist" and Ant saying Haye made "nine jaws drop to the floor" without throwing a punch. Haye, who has been in a relationship with model Sian Osborne since 2020 and linked to Saturdays singer Una Healy, concluded he would be with his girlfriend "even if she didn’t look how she looked." However, Beverley remarked, "He has hit the jackpot, but his partner has got the booby prize."
Haye's personal life has often overshadowed his boxing career, with reports of non-monogamous relationships, including suggestions of a throuple. While Ant and Dec have commented on this during the series, Haye has not addressed his relationship status in camp, leaving the focus on his divisive remarks about women.
