Adam Thomas Reportedly Furious Over I'm A Celebrity Exploitation Claims
Adam Thomas has reportedly been left reluctant to promote his I'm A Celebrity…South Africa win on ITV, following a highly contentious live final that ended in a heated on-stage argument. The 37-year-old Waterloo Road star was crowned the second-ever Ultimate Legend, but his victory was overshadowed by a shouting match between himself, Jimmy Bullard, and David Haye, as hosts Ant and Dec struggled to mediate.
In a recent episode of his podcast At Home With The Thomas Bros, Adam claimed he felt 'exploited' during the finale. 'I just felt like I'd just been exploited and I think you can see it at the end of the live show,' he said. His twin brother and former Love Islander Scott added: 'All those campmates were pissed off at ITV. It wasn't your issue. It is ITV's issue.' Scott further criticised the show's toxic environment, stating: 'In those shows, you get eaten alive, because it is so toxic. This is what is cut-throat about these shows: they are so high-risk. It wasn't your fault, it was the way ITV played it.'
Despite winning with 51 per cent of public votes, Adam expressed deep regret: 'I feel like I sold my soul and you couldn't pay me £10,000,000 to do that experience again. Nothing is worth what I went through in there.' According to The Daily Mail, there are currently no plans for Adam to appear on any ITV shows this week to discuss his victory. A source told the outlet: 'It was a clear message. Adam is furious and he doesn't want to tell his story anywhere near ITV.'
However, a TV insider close to the production claimed: 'Despite the drama that unfolded on the show, many of the campmates had a great experience and don't have an issue with ITV or the way the show was edited.' The Thomas brothers have a long history with the broadcaster: Adam previously starred in Emmerdale, his brother Ryan acted in Coronation Street for 16 years, and Adam later appeared on Dancing on Ice in 2024. The brothers also filmed Absolutely India: Mancs in Mumbai in 2020 and co-hosted the game show 99 to Beat last year.
Metro has contacted ITV and At Home With The Thomas Bros for comment. The controversy continues to fuel debate about the pressures of reality television, with Adam's candid remarks highlighting the emotional toll such shows can take on contestants.
