David Haye's behaviour on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! has sparked concerns about toxic masculinity on reality television. The former boxer made comments about 'ugly women' and repeatedly berated fellow contestant Adam Thomas, leading Thomas to seek therapy after the show.
Haye told The Sun that Thomas did not need therapy but instead needed to 'do some push-ups' and spend time with 'powerful' men. He dismissed Thomas's psoriatic arthritis diagnosis as something to 'hold on to' and called him a 'weak-ass dude' and a 'professional victim'.
This 'manosphere' rhetoric, which encourages men to ignore mental health, has been linked to increased rates of depression and suicide among men. Women's Aid previously criticised Love Island for allowing similar behaviour, with contestant Harrison Solomon accused of manipulation.
Reality TV faces a growing problem with vetting contestants who promote toxic masculinity. Whether through poor selection or editing that prioritises drama, shows risk normalising harmful attitudes towards women and men's mental health.
