Adam Thomas claims he was ‘exploited’ by ITV after I’m Celeb live final ended in chaos – as tearful winner says ‘bully’ David Haye manipulated his mental health issues to ‘get inside my head’

by

Adam Thomas, who won ‘I’m A Celebrity… South Africa,’ has stated he felt taken advantage of by ITV during the show’s dramatic live finale on Friday night.

Honestly, it was really disappointing to see all the drama unfold during the Waterloo Road actor’s trip to Kruger National Park. It completely took over the headlines – a big argument with Jimmy Bullard, and then serious accusations that David Haye was bullying people. It just overshadowed what should have been a positive experience.

The reveal of the pre-recorded show’s winner, announced live by Ant and Dec at London’s Apollo Theatre, quickly turned chaotic. Former rivals Bullard and Haye unexpectedly resumed their conflict in front of a shocked studio audience, with Thomas caught in the middle.

During a recent episode of the Thomas Bros podcast with his brothers Ryan and Scott, the 37-year-old actor felt that their disagreement was exploited as the show went on.

He believes that for David Haye and some of the other contestants, being on the show seems to be just about putting on a performance.

This is purely for fun and entertainment. I’m not pretending to be someone else or following anyone’s plan—I’m just here to have a good time and enjoy myself.

What really bothered me was seeing David afterward. Even after everything that happened on the show, he sent me a voice message saying how much he enjoyed it and congratulating me on winning. It was just… unsettling.

I replied to him, letting him know that I’ve reached my limit and need to end things. I wish him well, but I’m no longer involved.

The whole thing was really difficult. During the live show, I felt used and I think that’s obvious if you watch it. I was caught up in everything happening, but it felt like it wasn’t even focused on me.

Thomas, visibly upset, said Haye was a definite bully during their time in camp. He explained that Haye had gotten into his head, leaving him feeling emotionally vulnerable.

He stated plainly, “What I experienced at camp was bullying, and there’s no question about it.”

I don’t believe it’s right to dismiss hurtful comments as just ‘banter,’ especially when people are already struggling with similar issues in their lives. It’s genuinely harmful, not harmless fun.

I didn’t say anything at the time because, while it was happening, everyone dismissed the behavior as playful teasing. They’d say things like, ‘He’s just doing that because he cares about you,’ so I just pretended it was okay and laughed it off.

He acknowledged that others might not see it as bullying, and he understood why. However, he insisted that, from his perspective, what happened was bullying, and he wanted to be honest about how it felt to experience it.

I also spoke with David after leaving, and I asked him why he kept hurting me. He basically said he enjoyed it – that I was a good person, and he just wanted to see me fall apart.

‘If that isn’t classed as bullying, then I don’t know what is.’ 

After a health issue prevented the actor from participating in some of the challenges on the show, David Haye publicly criticized him, calling him a ‘professional victim’.

He insisted he never wants to seem like he’s playing the victim, responding to accusations that’s exactly what he’s doing.

‘I just wanted it all to go away and I didn’t talk to anyone.’ 

Thomas claims David Haye exploited his collapse during a hearing, attempting to unsettle him by falsely suggesting ITV had revealed details about his mental health.

I finally stood up for myself after talking with David. He was teasing me about fainting when I got back from the trial, and that’s when I told him to stop, saying ‘Shut up, enough is enough,’ he remembered.

He called me over after leaving the Diary Room and immediately asked if I’d been upset about him, saying producers had warned him to stop bringing it up but he needed to know if I’d been crying.

That’s when I realized they were aware of what had happened, and that bothered me even more. I’d never actually spoken about David or what he’d done to me, so it felt like a betrayal that they somehow knew.

I was really upset when I went to talk to them, and they assured me they had never discussed my mental health with David, or anything like that.

I finally cornered David after everything, and he just casually admitted it – he made the whole thing up! Honestly, I was floored. It hit me like a ton of bricks… he totally played me, and manipulated me so badly. I can’t believe he just said it like it was nothing!

He really got to me, more than people realize. It’s hard to notice, but he makes these little comments that get under your skin. Most people don’t even pick up on them.

He deeply manipulated me, and he’s incredibly skilled at it. The fact that he could diminish my spirit and joy – that’s a testament to his power, though a painful one.

Read More

2026-04-29 11:37