The pair came face to face in an awkward moment after the final show
Jimmy Bullard spoke out.(Image: ITV)
The I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here South Africa live final descended into chaos last night (Friday, 24 April) following an on-stage confrontation that reportedly spilled over into the studio car park.
After a tense exchange during the ITV broadcast, Jimmy Bullard was allegedly seen approaching host Ant McPartlin as the presenter attempted to leave the studio with his wife. Security personnel were present for the incident, which appeared to end when McPartlin laughed off the former Premier League footballer’s complaints.
The friction centred on Bullard’s public accusation that his fellow campmate and eventual winner of the show, Adam Thomas, had been “abusive, aggressive, and intimidating” during the filming of the series.
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During the live final, Bullard alleged that the broadcast version of the show omitted the true extent of Thomas’s behaviour, specifically citing unbroadcasted uses of profanity, Wales Online reports.
McPartlin challenged these claims, saying that the show’s editing provided an accurate representation of events and stating that he did not witness any intimidating behaviour.
Thomas responded to the accusations by reiterating his previous apologies, acknowledging that he had struggled with high emotions while in the camp.
It was a difficult night for ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! South Africa’ hosts Ant and Dec.(Image: 2026 Shutterstock)
The conflict originally stemmed from a trial known as the Rancid Run, during which Bullard chose to walk away. This decision put Thomas at risk of elimination from the camp, causing an outburst that the Waterloo Road later described as a reaction to the intense pressure of the competition.
The row was addressed during the live final, with Jimmy explaining that he had selected Adam under the impression the trial was for stars, not an elimination trial.
He went on to say: “I absolutely threw him under the bus, I get it. I’ll wear that. But what I don’t stand on is someone being abusive, aggressive and intimidating. I don’t stand on it.”
Bullard added: “You were there, you had front row seats, you didn’t show none of the C-bombs.”
As the argument continued on stage, other contestants attempted to intervene.
Adam Thomas and Jimmy Bullard during a row on I’m A Celebrity… Sotuh Africa(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
Ex-boxer David Haye voiced his support for Bullard, but was quickly dismissed by co-host Declan Donnelly, who said Haye had not been present during the original altercation.
The atmosphere grew increasingly fraught, leading contestants Gemma Collins and Sinitta to walk off the stage.
Despite the turmoil, Thomas was ultimately crowned the winner of the series. He issued a statement on Saturday morning, saying: “I walked through this journey with my heart first, no matter what came my way…It was not always easy, there were moments that could have broken me, but I stayed true to myself and that is something I will always be proud of.
“I have realised that when people try to dim your light, it says more about them than it ever will about you.
“This experience has shown me my strength in ways I never imagined. Not because of any title or recognition, but because I stayed kind, I stayed grounded and I stayed real.”
ITV has maintained throughout the controversy that they broadcast a fair and accurate portrayal of the events in camp.