David Haye Addresses Controversial Adam Thomas Spat After Leaving I'm A Celebrity

The former heavyweight boxer has insisted he was actually on his "best behaviour" in camp.

I’m A Celebrity star David Haye has spoken out after the conflict between himself and Adam Thomas escalated during the most recent episode of the reality show.

Last week, many viewers were unhappy with the way that David had spoken to Adam after the Emmerdale star explained he was feeling too unwell to put himself forward for a Bushtucker Trial, after experiencing a flare up of his psoriatic arthritis.

In Monday night’s instalment, the spat grew even further, with Adam being moved to tears by digs from David, who insisted he was only playing with the soap actor.

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Later in the episode, members of the camp each had to select one person to save from elimination.

Because no one selected David, he became the second celebrity to leave the show, choosing Gemma Collins to go with him.

On his way out, he and Adam had something of a reconciliation, with the retired boxer assuring him: “Sorry, it was all banter. It’s all good.”

Speaking to Ant and Dec later in the show, the former heavyweight champion claimed: “Me and Adam had a little bit of back and forth. I was bantering, but the banter, he didn’t really like the banter.

“He kind of got to the limit of the banter he was willing to receive and started snapping and that.”

Asked whether he felt he’d pushed things “too far” with Adam, David conceded: “Probably. I’m an extremist, and I can’t help myself. But it’s all love. I love him really. He’s a cool guy. It’s all perfect now.”

Following his exit, David was quoted by numerous outlets as saying: “[There’s] no bad blood from my side.”

He added: “When a grown man tells me that a fun TV show – where we’re being paid handsomely every single day – is the hardest thing he’s ever been through, it’s just not a frequency I recognise.

“I was actually on my best behaviour there, honestly. I’ve spoken to Adam, I’ve said my piece and some of what’s still to air will speak for itself, I’ll leave it there.”

Earlier this week, Adam claimed that he’d received a private apology from David over how the athlete treated him on the show.

“He broke me in there, he pushed me to my limits, and I’ve told David this and he’s apologised and that’s that!” he insisted. “I’ve moved on now, am not one to hold a grudge.”

Meanwhile, even Ant and Dec have suggested that David’s conduct “crossed the line” while he was still on the show.

I’m A Celebrity: South Africa continues on Tuesday night at 9pm on ITV.

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