{"id":421038,"date":"2026-04-28T03:42:21","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T03:42:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/421038\/"},"modified":"2026-04-28T03:42:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T03:42:21","slug":"harry-redknapp-admits-im-a-celeb-final-was-a-nightmare-as-he-defends-david-haye","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/421038\/","title":{"rendered":"Harry Redknapp admits I’m A Celeb final was a ‘nightmare’ as he defends David Haye"},"content":{"rendered":"

Harry Redknapp has addressed the “nightmare” live final of I’m A Celebrity… where it all kicked off in front of the nation and the former King of the Jungle has even defended his controversial campmate David Haye\"Harry<\/p>\n

Harry Redknapp has described the IAC final as a ‘nightmare'(Image: AP)<\/p>\n

Harry Redknapp<\/a> has addressed the “nightmare” live final of I’m A Celebrity South Africa<\/a> just three days after the explosive scenes played out to the nation. The former footballer, 79, first appeared on Ant and Dec’s reality survival show in 2018, which he went on to win, and then made a comeback for the all-stars edition that was aired over the last few weeks.<\/p>\n

Things took a dramatic turn when boxer David Haye was accused of bullying Adam Thomas<\/a> and claimed that the Waterloo Road star was using his arthritis<\/a> condition to get out of doing Bushtucker Trials and challenges.<\/p>\n

Since the series was pre-recorded, the celebrities all gathered back together for a live final in which the British public chose Adam to be their winner, but the announcement came amid much furore, where arguments unfolded live on air and led to stars like TOWIE legend Gemma Collins<\/a> and pop singer Sinitta storming off the stage<\/a>.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: Adam Thomas ‘didn’t want to win’ says ‘angry and disappointed’ Ashley Roberts<\/a>READ MORE: ‘I was at I’m A Celeb final – Adam Thomas’ actions in the ad break shocked me’<\/a>\"TalkSport<\/p>\n

Harry compared the final to The Jeremy Kyle Show (Image: Talk Sport)<\/p>\n

Now, Harry has expressed the shock he felt as he watched everything unfolding while they were all live on air and compared the action to scenes infamous on the now-defunct Jeremy Kyle Show, in which dysfunctional families would air out all their messy problems to a studio audience.<\/p>\n

He said: “I thought I\u2019d gone to the wrong show! I thought it was The Jeremy Kyle Show. I\u2019ve never seen so much aggravation! I thought, ‘I\u2019m in the wrong studio here.’ All the crowd is shouting and things. Oh, it was a nightmare. I thought, you know, I\u2019m not a celebrity\u2026 get me out of here. That\u2019s what I was going to say!”<\/p>\n

When it comes to the issues caused by boxer David, who also left the likes of Coronation Street<\/a> star Beverley Callard and Gogglebox’s Scarlett Moffatt horrified with his sexist comments about women as he peddled his “ugly duckling” theory, Harry insisted that it was all just “banter” that was nothing like what may go on in a male changing room.<\/p>\n

During an appearance on TalkSport, he told Andy Townsend: “David was, you know, he was in good form, David Haye. But listen, Andy, we\u2019ve been brought up in dressing rooms. You\u2019ve been around football, you two guys, Andy, you know, all your life.<\/p>\n

\"I'm<\/p>\n

Harry said he’d felt as if he’d walked onto the wrong show when things came to blows (Image: Jonathan Hordle\/ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n

“Banter – This wasn\u2019t strong banter compared to what you\u2019ve had in dressing rooms over the years. You just get on with it, don\u2019t you? It all got out of hand. You know, people couldn\u2019t take a bit of banter and it became a big issue.”<\/p>\n

Adam, who shot to fame as Donte Charles on the BBC’s flagship school drama before enjoying success with a role in Emmerdale<\/a>, has previously admitted that he ended up in therapy thanks to the events that took place whilst filming the series. He said: “It’s changed me and that’s no over-exaggeration.<\/p>\n

“I’m in therapy now because, like it’s f***** with me mentally because I just thought, ‘How is this happening? I’m a 37-year-old man’. I’m like, ‘How am I letting some other person do this to me in here?”<\/p>\n

During Adam’s turbulent time in camp, he also came to blows with Jimmy Bullard when they were paired up for a trial, which, they were told, would place both of them at risk of elimination should they come in last place.<\/p>\n

Jimmy decided to leave on the spot and claimed that Adam, who was allowed to stay in the competition despite the threat of being cut, was “abusive, aggressive and intimidating” and that footage never made it to air.<\/p>\n

During live scenes that shocked the nation as Jimmy raged, Ant said: \u201cI was there and I didn\u2019t think it was intimidating,\u201d When he questioned him again Ant\u2019s voice went higher pitched and he said, \u201dNo, I was there, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dec supported Ant and said to Jimmy: \u201cHang on, lets come back to you. Emotions were obviously running high.\u201d He then diffused things by inviting Adam to speak. “<\/p>\n

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok<\/a>, Snapchat<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, YouTube<\/a> and Threads<\/a>.<\/p>\n