David Haye and Jimmy Bullard called Adam Thomas out before he was crowned the winner

Ant and Dec with I’m A Celebrity South Africa winner Adam Thomas(Image: Jonathan Hordle/ITV/Shutterstock)

I’m A Celebrity fans commended Ant and Dec amid an explosive argument during the live final of the ITV reality series.

After several weeks of watching former campmates return to the jungle, in pre-recorded episodes, the final of the All Stars version aired on Friday night (April 24). Former Emmerdale actor Adam Thomas was crowned this year’s ‘Jungle Legend’.

However, the result was overshadowed by an explosive moment where boxer David Haye and former footballer Jimmy Bullard called Adam out on live TV. The moment arrived after David asked Adam if he ‘deserved to win it after calling Jimmy [Bullard] the C-word a couple of times’.

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Jimmy was seen almost leading to Adam being eliminated from the series earlier in the week when they were put into a team for a bushtucker trial.

However, Jimmy decided that he didn’t want to do the trial moments into it, leaving Adam at risk of being sent home. Ant and Dec asked the campmates if they wanted to keep Adam in, who unanimously voted for the actor to remain on the show.

Speaking during the final, Jimmy claimed that Adam was ‘aggressive, abusive and intimidating’ when he decided to leave the series.

Gemma Collins, Jimmy Bullard, Scarlett Moffatt, Ashley Roberts, Adam Thomas, David Haye and Harry Redknapp during the I’m A Celebrity final(Image: Jonathan Hordle/ITV/Shutterstock)

Adam told Jimmy during the final: “Listen I take full responsibility for my actions. Yes emotions were definitely running high in that moment. But, you know, I have got nothing but love for Jimmy.”

From here, David tried to interrupt Adam, who hit back: “Will you just let the finalists speak?” Adam added: “I take everything he said into account. That is not how I want to show myself off and I have never shown myself off in that light before that or after that. And I am sorry Jimmy.”

Sticking up for Adam during the awkward moment was Ant and Dec. Ant said that he did not think Adam was aggressive. When David tried to intervene, Dec also told him, ‘you weren’t even there’. Both Sinitta and Gemma walked off the set amid the tense scenes.

Those watching the final at home rushed to X, previously known as Twitter, to have their say on one of the most dramatic moments in the history of I’m A Celebrity.

@superTV247 said: “The way Ant & Dec’s 20 year reign at the NTAs only just ended but… that was their finest moment of their career. Thank god they stood up for what’s right and actually got involved, props to them #ImACeleb.” @bealrightbetty added: “ANT & DEC STANDING ON BUSINESS AND SHUTTING DAVID THE HELL UP #ImACeleb.”

@nishabxv wrote: “You know it’s bad when you break Ant AND Dec #ImACeleb.” @JulieSmith2001 posted: “I bloody love Ant & Dec, they’ve really handled this situation well. #ImACeleb.”

@ThornhillNina commented: “Ant and Dec showing up and speaking up #ImaCeleb.” @liv_liv_liv__ stated: “not Ant & Dec getting into beef with David & Jimmy I am crying!!!! #ImaCeleb.”