The shocking feud inside the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! South Africa camp has left viewers stunned and divided, as former Emmerdale and Waterloo Road star Adam Thomas broke down in tears not once, but twice after explosive clashes with ex-heavyweight boxing champion David Haye. What started as light-hearted banter quickly spiraled into something far more intense, with sources close to the production revealing that tensions boiled over behind the scenes in ways that never fully made it to our screens. The emotional fallout has sparked widespread debate about bullying, resilience, and the hidden pressures of jungle life.
The drama unfolded rapidly in the sweltering South African bush, where celebrities are stripped of luxuries and forced to confront not just trials but each other under extreme conditions. Adam Thomas, 37, known for his down-to-earth charm and family-man persona, had already been struggling. He later revealed he was battling a flare-up of his psoriatic arthritis, a debilitating autoimmune condition diagnosed in 2023 that causes joint pain, inflammation, and exhaustion. Despite this, the actor tried to keep spirits high, even sneaking contraband chocolates back from a lavish Bush Banquet to share with campmates surviving on basic rations. That small act of kindness, however, ignited one of the first major sparks with David Haye.
David Haye, the 45-year-old former world champion boxer with a reputation for straight-talking and unfiltered opinions, didn’t hold back. When the group faced collective punishment for Adam’s rule-breaking, Haye voiced his frustration loudly, criticizing what he saw as unnecessary risks and complaining about those not pulling their weight. Viewers watched as the muscular boxer, often seen shirtless and projecting raw physical dominance, clashed with the more laid-back Thomas. But according to insiders, the arguments went deeper than the edited footage suggested. One confrontation stemmed from Adam opting out of a Bushtucker Trial due to feeling unwell, prompting Haye to label him “useless” and urge him to “get off your a** and do something.” The words cut deep, especially for a man already pushing through chronic pain.
Adam didn’t explode in anger. Instead, the pressure built until he reached a breaking point. In heart-wrenching scenes that aired recently, the Salford-born star burst into tears after a second explosive row. “I don’t know where it came from, I really don’t,” he reportedly said through sobs, his voice cracking as emotions overwhelmed him. Campmates looked on uncomfortably, with some later describing the atmosphere as tense and “uncomfortable” to watch. Ant and Dec, the show’s beloved presenters, even addressed the situation on their Unpacked podcast, with Ant noting it was “not a nice watch” and that Haye’s picking had “crossed the line from banter.” Dec agreed, calling it uncomfortable viewing as Adam clearly wasn’t coping well.
Behind closed camp doors—away from the main cameras that capture the polished drama for ITV—sources claim the feud simmered with additional layers. David Haye’s no-nonsense attitude, forged in the brutal world of professional boxing where mental toughness is everything, clashed head-on with Adam’s more sensitive approach. Haye reportedly continued jabbing at Thomas over perceived lack of “mental strength,” even referencing a moment where Adam dropped a ball during a balancing challenge. “You didn’t have the mental strength not to itch an itch,” Haye allegedly remarked, words that felt like repeated blows to a man already fighting invisible health battles.
Adam Thomas has since opened up publicly in an emotional Instagram statement that has resonated with fans. Lying in his hammock, looking vulnerable, he shared a photo that “breaks my heart” because he knows what he was enduring internally. “He broke me in there, he pushed me to my limits,” Adam admitted about Haye. “I’ve told David this and he’s apologised and that’s that!” The actor emphasized he wishes he had spoken up for himself sooner instead of trying to “keep the peace.” He highlighted the importance of kindness but also strength, noting that being kind doesn’t mean being weak. Adam revealed the experience was “one of the toughest things I’ve ever been through,” compounded by his arthritis flare-up that left him dehydrated, in pain, and questioning his ability to continue.
The backlash against David Haye was swift and fierce. Viewers flooded social media, accusing the boxer of bullying a “lightweight” in comparison and alienating not just Adam but other campmates. Some pointed to earlier controversial remarks Haye made about women, including comments about his girlfriend and others, which added fuel to perceptions of his abrasive style. Even co-stars weighed in subtly. Ashley Roberts, who appeared alongside both men (and had shared the jungle with Haye back in 2012), described the dynamic as becoming “uncomfortable” at times. Meanwhile, Adam’s brothers, Ryan and Scott, reportedly had their “blood boil” watching the exchanges, though they later supported their sibling’s decision to address it calmly.
Yet the story isn’t one-sided. David Haye has pushed back, denying bullying accusations and insisting he was on his “best behaviour” in camp. After a shock double eviction alongside Gemma Collins, where campmates failed to save him in the public vote, Haye couldn’t resist a final dig at Adam in his first post-exit interview. He questioned the soap star’s claims that the show was the “hardest thing” he’d endured, saying it wasn’t a “frequency I recognise.” Haye maintained his comments were banter that got misinterpreted, rooted in his own high standards for effort and resilience. In the ring, Haye built a career on mental fortitude; in the jungle, he seemed to expect the same from everyone, regardless of personal struggles.
The incident has reignited broader conversations about reality TV’s impact on mental health. I’m A Celebrity has always thrived on conflict and emotional rawness—stars facing fears, hunger, and isolation—but this feud highlighted the fine line between entertainment and harm. Producers likely monitored the situation closely, as they do with all tensions, but the unfiltered nature of camp life means not everything can be controlled. Adam’s tears, captured in raw close-ups, became a defining moment that had audiences at home reaching for tissues and keyboards alike. Many praised Thomas for his honesty and vulnerability, especially in sharing his arthritis battle, which affects millions but often goes unseen.
As the series continues in South Africa, with its dramatic landscapes and challenging trials, the remaining campmates navigate the aftermath. Some have rallied around Adam, praising his contributions and resilience. Others note that Haye’s departure has eased the immediate tension, though his exit interview kept the fire burning. Adam, for his part, has begged fans to stop sending hate toward Haye, emphasizing he’s made peace and moved on. “In a world full of hate, let’s just be kind people,” he urged, showing maturity amid the storm.
This isn’t the first time jungle feuds have captivated audiences, but the intensity here—coupled with health revelations and public apologies—feels particularly personal. Adam Thomas entered as a relatable everyman; his breakdown humanized the struggles many face when pushed beyond limits. David Haye entered as a larger-than-life champion; his unyielding style divided opinions between those who admire tough love and those who see it as unnecessary harshness.
What truly happened in those untelevised moments remains a mix of speculation and insider whispers. Did Haye’s words stem from genuine frustration over camp dynamics, or did they mask deeper personality clashes? How much did Adam’s hidden pain influence his reactions? And will the apology truly close the chapter, or does lingering resentment simmer? As more stars exit and share their uncut stories, the full picture may emerge, offering even greater insight into the psychological toll of fame under pressure.
One thing is certain: this feud has left an indelible mark on the 2026 South Africa series. It reminds us that behind the glamour of celebrity and the thrill of survival challenges lie real people with real vulnerabilities. Adam Thomas’s tears weren’t just TV gold—they were a raw glimpse into the cost of entertainment. Whether you side with the boxer’s call for grit or the actor’s plea for empathy, the drama invites us all to reflect on how we treat each other when the cameras roll and when they don’t.
As the remaining contestants battle for the All Stars crown, viewers can’t help but wonder: will similar tensions erupt again, or has this explosive chapter taught everyone a hard lesson in jungle harmony? The bush has a way of revealing truths—and in this case, it exposed hearts as much as hardships. Stay tuned, because in I’m A Celebrity, the real surprises often happen when you least expect them.
