Ant McPartlin and Jimmy Bullard were pictured in an animated exchange backstage after the I’m A Celebrity South Africa live final, with security present as the pair continued their on-air discussion outside ITV studios
Jimmy Bullard and Ant McPartlin came face to face in an awkward moment after the I’m a Celeb final show
I’m A Celebrity’s Jimmy Bullard and Ant McPartlin continued their heated clash after filming Friday’s grand final, with security forced to step in.
Newly emerged photographs appear to capture the ongoing fallout between Jimmy and Ant once the cameras stopped rolling last night following the live final.
The drama surrounding I’m A Celebrity… South Africa’s live final didn’t come to a close when filming wrapped, as fresh pictures reveal the tension between Jimmy and Ant continued as they departed the ITV studios.
The images show the former footballer in conversation with host Ant after the concluding show, with security personnel encircling him. Ant appears to be making his way off, yet turns his head to catch what Jimmy is saying.

Bullard had been furiously confronted by campmate Adam Thomas after leaving during a challenge(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
The confrontation follows a fraught final in which Jimmy, 47, accused I’m A Celeb bosses of ‘editing out clips’ during an explosive outburst broadcast live on air.
As the row over what truly unfolded in the pre-recorded jungle scenes intensified, Ant attempted to calm things down.
Despite decades of hosting live TV, Ant and Dec struggled to keep the celebrities in check, resulting in compelling viewing. Ant told Jimmy: ‘Right, let’s leave it there. We’ll agree to disagree.”
Yet it seemed matters were far from settled. When Ant departed the studios alongside his wife, Anne-Marie Corbett, the former footballer appeared eager to press on with the dispute, reports the Mirror.
The two were subsequently photographed exchanging words while the security team appeared to close in around Ant, with one security personnel reaching his arm around Ant’s back.

The I’m a Celebrity South Africa Live Final results show descended into chaos, as an argument erupted live on air between Jimmy Bullard, David Haye, and hosts Ant and Dec, that caused Sinitta and Gemma Collins to walk off set.
(Image: Jonathan Hordle/ITV/Shutterstock)
The moment came after tensions reached boiling point in the studio. It began when David questioned whether Adam “deserved” to win after he called Jimmy the “C-word a couple of times.”
The bad blood between Adam and Jimmy had first emerged on the pre-recorded episode which aired on Tuesday, when the former footballer quit the show during a bushtucker trial. As the pair had been partnered together, it meant Adam would also have to depart. However, following protests from the rest of the camp, he was permitted to remain.
During the live final, Jimmy claimed that Adam had been “aggressive, abusive and intimidating” during the incident. Adam then issued a full apology: “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. I have apologised to Jimmy on numerous occasions.”

Adam Thomas was crowned the winner(Image: ITV)
David interrupted Adam, who snapped back with: “Will you just let the finalists speak…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.”
Ant and Dec both made efforts to step in, with Ant confessing he did not think Adam was aggressive. Dec meanwhile told David, “You weren’t even there.”
David continued: ‘I like to say how I see it, I like to keep it real and what I have seen is a lot of editing to make this poor guy [pointing to Adam] the victim so the people will support him. We all had banter back and forth, a lot of it was cut out from their side. But I think it is time for the truth.’
Both Sinitta and Gemma Collins were seen walking off the set amid the tense scenes. Sinitta told the live audience”Guys, you weren’t there, I was there and it was aggressive and abusive, we were shaking.”

The I’m a Celebrity South Africa Live Final results show descended into chaos, as an argument erupted live on air between Jimmy Bullard, David Haye, and hosts Ant and Dec, that caused Sinitta and Gemma Collins to walk off set(Image: Jonathan Hordle/ITV/Shutterstock)
Jimmy then called upon hosts Ant and Dec to intervene, saying: ‘You [Ant and Dec] were there and you didn’t show any of that [footage]…You didn’t show any of the C-bombs, it’s a liberty.’
Ant stepped out of his typically cheerful demeanour to hit back, explaining: ‘The reason we didn’t air the C-bomb is because that is unbroadcastable. I was there and I didn’t think it was intimidating. I was there Jim.’
Jimmy pulled no punches as he turned his fire on Ant, declaring: “I will not take you [Ant] saying it wasn’t aggressive, abusive and intimating, you can’t say that. Show it, let everyone watch it, let’s play it now!'”
Ant adeptly steered the row to a close, stating: ‘Right, let’s leave it there. We’ll agree to disagree Jim.’ However, it now appears the matter was far from settled.
The Mirror approached representatives for Ant and Jimmy for comment.
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