{"id":2384235,"date":"2026-04-22T12:24:35","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T12:24:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2384235"},"modified":"2026-04-22T12:24:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T12:24:35","slug":"im-a-celebrity-south-africa-hit-with-ofcom-complaints-as-bullying-sparks-backlash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/im-a-celebrity-south-africa-hit-with-ofcom-complaints-as-bullying-sparks-backlash\/","title":{"rendered":"I&#8217;m A Celebrity South Africa hit with Ofcom complaints as &#8216;bullying&#8217; sparks backlash"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_309d8b\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">I&#8217;m A Celebrity&#8230; South Africa viewers have been left fuming at David Haye&#8217;s behaviour towards fellow campmate Adam Thomas<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33815932\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Balance of Power - Adam Thomas and David Haye.\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk\/article33815932.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/1_JS403244991.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk\/article33815932.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/1_JS403244991.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk\/article33815932.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/1_JS403244991.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk\/article33815932.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/1_JS403244991.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/div>\n<p aria-label=\"David Haye's treatment of I'm A Celeb co-star Adam Thomas has sparked Ofcom complaints\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">David Haye&#8217;s treatment of I&#8217;m A Celeb co-star Adam Thomas has sparked Ofcom complaints(Image: ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">David Haye&#8217;s conduct towards Adam Thomas has left <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walesonline.co.uk\/all-about\/im-a-celebrity-get-me-out-of-here\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">I&#8217;m A Celebrity&#8230; South Africa<\/a> viewers outraged.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walesonline.co.uk\/lifestyle\/tv\/david-hayes-parting-shot-adam-33808506\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">The dramatic ITV episode<\/a> broadcast on Friday (April 17) has attracted over 171 complaints.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The broadcasting regulator has confirmed the grievances centred on &#8220;alleged bullying of<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walesonline.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/ant-dec-criticise-david-haye-33800306\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\"> Adam by David<\/a>&#8220;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A dispute between the two celebrities erupted after Waterloo Road actor Adam violated a key programme rule by sneaking chocolate into the camp for the opposing &#8220;Lions&#8221; team.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">When the transgression came to light, the entire group forfeited two hard-won food stars, substantially reducing their dinner rations, reports <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/tv\/tv-news\/breaking-im-celebrity-bullying-row-37052674\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">the Mirror<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Former professional boxer David, renowned for his disciplined sporting pedigree, didn&#8217;t take the loss of nutrition lightly.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-33815929\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33815929\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"An individual with a beard and a bandana sits amidst a rugged, rocky environment. He is dressed in a red sleeveless shirt and a necklace, exuding a rugged demeanor. The setting suggests a natural, untamed backdrop with scattered stones and foliage.\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk\/article33815929.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Gemma-Collins-vows-to-protect-Adam-Thomas-at-all-costs-after-David-Haye-argument.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk\/article33815929.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Gemma-Collins-vows-to-protect-Adam-Thomas-at-all-costs-after-David-Haye-argument.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk\/article33815929.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Gemma-Collins-vows-to-protect-Adam-Thomas-at-all-costs-after-David-Haye-argument.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk\/article33815929.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Gemma-Collins-vows-to-protect-Adam-Thomas-at-all-costs-after-David-Haye-argument.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/div>\n<p aria-label=\"\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">(Image: ITV)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_309d8b\">READ MORE: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33814073\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walesonline.co.uk\/lifestyle\/tv\/beverley-callard-left-tears-over-33814073\" tabindex=\"0\">Beverley Callard left in tears over I&#8217;m A Celebrity exit &#8216;I lost consciousness&#8217;<\/a><\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_309d8b\">READ MORE: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33813753\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walesonline.co.uk\/lifestyle\/tv\/im-celebritys-ant-dec-make-33813753\" tabindex=\"0\">I&#8217;m a Celebrity&#8217;s Ant and Dec make huge U-turn as Adam Thomas sobs over &#8216;unfair&#8217; twist<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The boxer proposed that Adam, as the offender, should receive a smaller serving than everyone else, a suggestion that sparked immediate waves of unease throughout the camp.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">During the episode concerned, Adam, who lives with autoimmune condition psoriatic arthritis, said he wasn&#8217;t feeling well enough to participate in Termite Terror and asked to withdraw from the Bushtucker Trial because he felt unwell and dehydrated.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-33815931\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33815931\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Adam Thomas lying on a camp bed on I'm A Celebrity\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk\/article33815931.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/2_Im-A-Celebrity-Get-Me-Out-Of-Here-South-Africa-TV-show-Series-2-Episode-10-17-Apr-2026.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk\/article33815931.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/2_Im-A-Celebrity-Get-Me-Out-Of-Here-South-Africa-TV-show-Series-2-Episode-10-17-Apr-2026.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk\/article33815931.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/2_Im-A-Celebrity-Get-Me-Out-Of-Here-South-Africa-TV-show-Series-2-Episode-10-17-Apr-2026.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk\/article33815931.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/2_Im-A-Celebrity-Get-Me-Out-Of-Here-South-Africa-TV-show-Series-2-Episode-10-17-Apr-2026.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/div>\n<p aria-label=\"Adam was branded &quot;useless&quot; by boxer David\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Adam was branded &#8220;useless&#8221; by boxer David(Image: ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">David said he was being &#8220;useless&#8221; and declared that he &#8220;doesn&#8217;t like men like that&#8221; leaving viewers and their fellow campmates furious.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The programme was recorded in September last year and after reviewing the footage, Adam has taken to social media to address the confrontation in camp. He wrote on Instagram: &#8220;Not going to lie,this picture breaks my heart, as I know on the inside what I was dealing with and truth be told I thought it was all my fault.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;I now know that&#8217;s not the reality&#8230; my time in I&#8217;m a Celebrity South Africa was one of the toughest things I&#8217;ve ever been through, physically, mentally, and emotionally.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-33815930\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33815930\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"I'm A Celebrity... South Africa cast\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk\/article33815930.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Im-a-Celebrity-South-Africa-aka-Im-a-CelebrityGet-Me-Out-of-Here-TV-Show-Series-2-Epi.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk\/article33815930.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Im-a-Celebrity-South-Africa-aka-Im-a-CelebrityGet-Me-Out-of-Here-TV-Show-Series-2-Epi.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk\/article33815930.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Im-a-Celebrity-South-Africa-aka-Im-a-CelebrityGet-Me-Out-of-Here-TV-Show-Series-2-Epi.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk\/article33815930.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Im-a-Celebrity-South-Africa-aka-Im-a-CelebrityGet-Me-Out-of-Here-TV-Show-Series-2-Epi.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/div>\n<p aria-label=\"The camp was left gobsmacked at David's reaction to Adam not being well enough to take part in the challenge\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">The camp was left gobsmacked at David&#8217;s reaction to Adam not being well enough to take part in the challenge(Image: ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Watching it back hasn&#8217;t been easy at all. There were moments I felt pushed to my absolute limit, and if I&#8217;m honest, times I didn&#8217;t even recognise myself.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Adam went on: &#8220;Living with arthritis is something I don&#8217;t really talk about, as much as I should do&#8230;but in there it really took its toll. My biggest fight was pretending to put on a brave face and trying to hide the pain! that can be exhausting within itself.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;There were days my body just didn&#8217;t want to keep going, but I did. &#8220;I won&#8217;t sit here and say I handled everything perfectly, because I didn&#8217;t. I wish I spoke up for myself sooner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;I wish I stood my ground instead of trying to keep the peace, but I&#8217;ve learned that being kind doesn&#8217;t mean being weak, and sometimes it takes going through tough moments to find your voice.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">David has not yet made any public statement and his representatives have been approached for comment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">I&#8217;m A Celebrity\u2026 South Africa airs Monday to Friday on ITV1 and ITVX at 9pm<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.walesonline.co.uk \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I&#8217;m A Celebrity&#8230; South Africa viewers have been left fuming at David Haye&#8217;s behaviour towards fellow campmate Adam Thomas David Haye&#8217;s treatment of I&#8217;m A Celeb co-star Adam Thomas has sparked Ofcom complaints(Image: ITV\/Shutterstock) David Haye&#8217;s conduct towards Adam Thomas has left I&#8217;m A Celebrity&#8230; South Africa viewers outraged. The dramatic ITV episode broadcast on [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2384236,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25173],"tags":[53058],"class_list":["post-2384235","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-artists","tag-im-a-celebrity-get-me-out-of-here"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Im-A-Celebrity-South-Africa-hit-with-Ofcom-complaints-as.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2384235","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2384235"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2384235\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2384237,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2384235\/revisions\/2384237"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2384236"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2384235"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2384235"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2384235"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}