David Haye has once again ignited controversy with his shocking remarks about women, despite previously claiming to be a feminist. The former professional boxer, 45, has faced mounting backlash for his behavior on I'm A Celebrity South Africa, where he was criticized for bullying campmate Adam Thomas and fat-shaming Gemma Collins. His regressive views on women, including targeting his girlfriend Sian Osborne with claims she has 'ugly duckling syndrome,' have drawn widespread condemnation.
Doubling Down on Controversial Views
Since leaving the jungle, Haye has doubled down on his misogynistic comments in an interview with The Sun. He stated that if you have a conversation in the dark with '10 busted up, ugly chicks,' their personalities are 'significantly better' than those of supermodels. He further justified his remarks by saying, 'My girlfriend has a personality of an ugly bird... it's the truth and people don't like the truth.'
Questioning Feminism
When asked if he considers himself a feminist, Haye responded with a contentious take: 'It depends what your version of feminism is. If we're drafted to go to war, women won't be drafted in the UK, right? So, no, we're not equal.' This statement has been met with widespread criticism.
Despite the backlash, Haye will return for the live final of I'm A Celebrity alongside fellow contestant Jimmy Bullard. He dismissed the criticism, saying, 'This has been the real David. Whether you think I'm sexist or a bully, that's your opinion, from a TV show that's been edited. If they think that, then good luck to them, I don't really care.'
Impact on Co-Stars
Earlier, Adam Thomas revealed that Haye's behavior had 'broken him,' though he accepted Haye's apology. However, in a subsequent podcast, Thomas was moved to tears as he shared that he entered therapy following the treatment he received from both Haye and Bullard.
I'm A Celebrity returns tonight at 9pm on ITV.
