Ant and Dec Condemn David Haye's Controversial I'm A Celebrity Conduct
Television presenters Ant and Dec have openly criticized former heavyweight boxing champion David Haye for what they describe as "crossing the line" with his behavior on the current series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! South Africa. The hosts expressed discomfort watching Haye's interactions with fellow campmates, suggesting his actions have escalated beyond harmless banter into bullying territory.
Camp Tensions Reach Breaking Point
The 45-year-old boxer, who previously finished third in the 2012 series, has returned for the All Stars edition that was pre-recorded last September. His time in camp has been marked by repeated clashes with other celebrities including Gemma Collins, Harry Redknapp, Sir Mo Farah, and Beverley Callard. Former Emmerdale actor Adam Thomas, 37, recently revealed that his camp experience was "one of the toughest things I've ever been through, physically, mentally, and emotionally," specifically citing Haye's behavior as a primary factor.
Thomas explained that the boxer "broke" him and "pushed him to his limits," creating a tense atmosphere throughout the camp. On the official companion podcast, Ant and Dec echoed these sentiments, with Ant stating: "It's not a nice watch. He just kind of picks and picks at them. Adam has had a bit of a tough time and he's not coping well. Clearly, the banter has got too much. But David won't stop."
From Banter to Bullying
Dec added his perspective, saying: "It's kind of crossed the line from banter. I don't find it comfortable to watch." This criticism comes after viewers expressed similar discomfort, particularly following Friday's Bushtucker Trial which Adam Thomas declined to participate in due to health concerns. The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant suffers from psoriatic arthritis, an autoimmune condition causing joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, for which he was diagnosed in 2023.
Despite Thomas's medical condition, Haye reportedly commented that he was a "grown-ass man" who shouldn't be "useless," adding "I hate them useless guys." This incident followed a previous clash between the two celebrities over smuggled chocolate, where Haye continued to complain about Thomas's actions long after the incident had concluded.
Multiple Controversies Unfold
David Haye has been involved in several controversial moments during the series. He attempted to steal dinner from the opposing team by climbing the dividing fence despite protests from his own campmates. Additionally, he faced criticism for appearing to "fat-shame" TOWIE star Gemma Collins and denying her water, though his girlfriend Sian Osborne defended him after he compared her to an "ugly duckling" and described her personality as that of "a proper ugly bird."
Osborne, 33, insisted these comments were intended as compliments despite viewers and some female campmates labeling them as sexist. The accumulation of these incidents has created what many perceive as a hostile camp environment, with Haye's persistent criticism and complaints wearing down his fellow celebrities.
Viewer Reaction and Industry Response
The public response to Haye's behavior has been largely negative, with many viewers expressing discomfort with what they perceive as bullying tactics. The hosts' public criticism represents a significant development, as Ant and Dec rarely intervene so directly in camp dynamics. Their comments suggest that Haye's conduct has exceeded acceptable boundaries even by reality television standards.
As I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! South Africa continues airing on ITV1 and ITVX, the controversy surrounding David Haye's participation raises questions about where producers draw the line between entertaining conflict and harmful behavior. The situation highlights the psychological pressures of reality television and the responsibility of both participants and production teams to maintain a safe environment for all involved.
