TV star Ant McPartlin is reportedly going out of his way to avoid an awkward run-in with Jimmy Bullard after their headline-making clash during the live final of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.
Both men live in the affluent Surrey village of Cobham – a celebrity enclave popular with footballers and TV personalities – but locals say the pair have been keeping their distance following tensions that spilled off-screen.
Behind-the-scenes drama
The drama first unfolded during the ITV show's live final, when viewers noticed a distinctly awkward exchange between the pair. Former footballer Bullard appeared to make a pointed remark towards Ant, referencing a disagreement that had taken place behind the scenes. While the moment was brushed off on-air with humour, insiders later claimed tensions had been brewing throughout filming, eventually culminating in a heated exchange in the car park after the show wrapped. According to reports, the disagreement escalated into a row, leaving relations between the two strained.
Life in Cobham
Now back on home turf in Cobham, the fallout appears to be continuing – with Ant said to be actively avoiding places where he might bump into Bullard, including the village high street and popular local spots like Waitrose. "It's funny - they both live here, but you don't hear about them crossing paths," one resident said. "Ant used to pop into Waitrose quite a bit, but people haven't seen him lately." Another local added: "Cobham's not that big - if you want to avoid someone, you really have to try."
The village, known for its quiet luxury and A-list residents, has become an unlikely backdrop for the ongoing tension, with neighbours increasingly aware of the situation.
Ant's new home
Away from the drama, Ant has also been making headlines for a major lifestyle move after reportedly settling into a new £10 million Surrey mansion with his wife Anne-Marie Corbett and their young family. The Britain's Got Talent host left behind his former Wimbledon property after a planning dispute with neighbours and relocated to a sprawling private estate in Surrey, designed for maximum privacy and security. The luxury home is understood to sit within an exclusive gated development popular with high-profile residents looking to escape the London spotlight.
The move marks a significant step for Ant, who has long been one half of the UK's most recognisable presenting duo alongside Declan Donnelly. The pair continue to front some of ITV's biggest entertainment shows, including Britain's Got Talent and Saturday Night Takeaway, keeping them firmly in the public eye despite Ant's efforts to enjoy more privacy at home. Locals say the new surroundings appear to offer the presenter a quieter lifestyle, with Ant occasionally spotted in the area but generally keeping a low profile since moving in.
Ongoing tension
Back in Cobham, however, attention remains firmly on the reported tension with Bullard following their live TV exchange during the final of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!. The moment, which played out in front of millions of viewers, sparked instant speculation online after Bullard referenced a behind-the-scenes disagreement with Ant during the broadcast. What was already an awkward exchange on air is now being talked about locally, with residents claiming it has carried over into everyday life in the village. Despite the chatter, neither Ant nor Bullard has publicly addressed the situation in detail, and both are understood to be continuing with busy professional schedules.
For now, though, Cobham's close-knit celebrity community is watching closely – especially as locals claim Ant's usual appearances at familiar spots like Waitrose have noticeably dropped off. Whether it's simply a case of avoiding unnecessary attention or a sign of lingering tension, the village gossip mill is firmly in overdrive as two of its best-known residents reportedly steer clear of each other in one of Surrey's most exclusive postcodes.
The Mirror has reached out to Ant McPartlin's representatives for comment.
