The Final Descends Into Chaos
The live finale of I’m A Celebrity… South Africa on Friday, April 24, 2026, will be remembered as one of the most explosive in the show’s 25-year history. While Adam Thomas was officially crowned “King of the Jungle,” the victory was completely overshadowed by a live, high-tension confrontation between former footballer Jimmy Bullard and host Ant McPartlin.
The friction began on-air when Bullard accused the show of “selective editing” regarding his departure following the “Rancid Run” trial. Bullard alleged that Adam Thomas had been “abusive, aggressive, and intimidating,” claiming that ITV bosses cut out “C-bombs” and extreme verbal abuse to protect the eventual winner’s image.
The Car Park Confrontation
The tension didn’t end when the credits rolled. Moments after the live broadcast concluded, photographs emerged of a heated exchange outside the ITV studios.
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The Stand-off: Jimmy Bullard was seen approaching Ant McPartlin as the presenter attempted to leave with his wife, Anne-Marie Corbett.
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Security Intervention: Bullard appeared to be remonstrating with the host, leading to a ring of security guards quickly encircling Ant to usher him away.
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The Reaction: Witnesses and photographers noted that Ant appeared to “laugh off” the encounter, though the physical presence of security highlighted the volatility of the moment.
The “C-Bomb” Defense
During the live show, Ant McPartlin took the rare step of stepping out of his “cheerful host” persona to directly challenge a contestant.
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Ant’s Response: “The reason we can’t show a C-bomb is because that’s unbroadcastable,” Ant told Bullard live on air. He went further, explicitly disagreeing with Bullard’s version of events: “I was there, Jim. I had front-row seats, and I didn’t think it was intimidating.”
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The Fallout: Bullard’s refusal to “let it go” led to other celebrities, including Gemma Collins and Sinitta, reportedly walking off the set in frustration as the atmosphere turned toxic. David Haye also weighed in to support Bullard, leading to a sharp rebuke from Declan Donnelly, who told the boxer to “keep out of it” since he wasn’t present for the original row.
ITV Stands Its Ground
Following the broadcast, ITV issued a statement insisting that the show provided a “full and fair representation” of the camp dynamics. While Adam Thomas has issued a public apology for his “high emotions,” the debate over whether the show “sanitizes” its winners for the sake of the brand is now the biggest talking point in the UK.
