Ant and Dec criticize David Haye for an ‘uncomfortable’ moment on I’m a Celeb that went ‘too far’
Ant and Dec have said that watching David Haye’s behavior in the I’m a Celebrity camp has been really hard, especially after one moment that “crossed the line.”
The special all-stars season of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! started airing on ITV on April 6. The show was filmed back in September 2025 in the jungle of Blyde River Canyon, South Africa, with 12 past contestants taking part.
This season features some popular sports stars like former winner Harry Redknapp, Olympic star Mo Farah, ex-Premier League player Jimmy Bullard, and former heavyweight boxing champ David Haye.
As you might expect with the tough challenges, not everyone in camp is getting along. Haye has had several run-ins with former Emmerdale actor Adam Thomas. While many of their fights seemed like playful teasing, their latest argument got serious enough that Ant and Dec spoke out about it.
The incident happened when Haye mocked Thomas for skipping one of the tough Bushtucker Trials because he wasn’t feeling well. Thomas has psoriatic arthritis, a condition that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and tiredness. He said he felt unwell and dehydrated, but Haye didn’t seem to understand.
“Stop whining about dehydration,” Haye shouted. “You haven’t done anything since you’ve been here. We all have the same water. Adam’s just doing it. What’s wrong with him? He’s a grown man.”
Fans watching at home were upset by Haye’s reaction, and Ant and Dec agreed it went too far. Ant said on the show’s podcast, I’m A Celebrity…Unpacked, “It’s not nice to watch. Haye keeps picking on Adam, and Adam’s having a hard time. The banter got out of hand, but David wouldn’t stop.” Dec added, “It crossed the line from banter. I don’t find it comfortable to watch.”
This fight is just one of many moments on the show that made people feel like Haye was bullying the others.
After the episode aired, Adam Thomas shared a heartfelt message on Instagram about how the situation affected him. He said, “Watching it back has been really hard. There were times I felt pushed to my limit and didn’t even recognize myself. Living with arthritis is something I don’t talk about much, but it really took a toll in there.”
He explained, “My hardest battle was pretending to be okay and hiding the pain. That was exhausting. Some days my body just didn’t want to go on, but I did.”
Adam admitted he didn’t always handle things perfectly, saying, “I wish I had spoken up sooner and stood my ground instead of trying to keep the peace. But I’ve learned that being kind doesn’t mean being weak, and sometimes tough times help you find your voice.”
He also addressed David Haye directly: “He broke me in there and pushed me to my limits. I’ve told David this, and he has apologized. That’s that. I’ve moved on and I don’t hold grudges. We all face tough people and situations, but sometimes those moments make you stronger. Be kind.”