Former boxing champion David Haye has escalated his feud with actor Adam Thomas by sharing a provocative image and audio clip on social media, reigniting the controversy surrounding their interactions on 'I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!'

Background to the Dispute

Adam Thomas has previously spoken about the emotional toll the experience took on him, claiming David Haye “broke” him. The strained relationship between the two began during filming of the show last September in the South African jungle.

Accusations of Bullying

Haye has faced accusations of bullying following the broadcast of several exchanges. He labelled Thomas “useless” for withdrawing from a trial due to health concerns related to his autoimmune condition, psoriatic arthritis.

Haye's Latest Response

Haye initially described their interactions as “banter” after leaving the show. However, he has now shared an AI-generated image of himself in boxing shorts, making a defiant gesture with his middle finger.

Audio Clip Shared

The post is accompanied by audio of Thomas stating, “I’ve got no issues David, you’re my only issue right now,” taken from a conversation within the camp. This action is widely seen as a further escalation of the conflict.

Thomas's Emotional Statement

Adam Thomas previously released an emotional statement detailing his struggles with the experience, stating that it had been “physically, mentally, and emotionally” challenging. He explained that living with arthritis was particularly difficult in the jungle environment and that he regretted not speaking up for himself sooner.

Criticism from Hosts

The situation has drawn criticism from hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, who described the exchanges as “uncomfortable” and noted that Haye’s “banter” had “crossed the line.” They observed that Haye continued to target Thomas despite his evident distress.

Haye's Defense

Haye, however, maintains that he was on his “best behaviour” and that Thomas’s complaints were disproportionate, given the relatively comfortable circumstances of the show. The controversy also coincided with Jimmy Bullard’s departure from the show following a clash with Thomas.

Wider Implications

The incident has sparked a wider conversation about acceptable behaviour and the impact of reality television on participants’ well-being, with many viewers expressing concern over Haye’s conduct and its effect on Thomas.