Adam Thomas has spoken out since winning the ITV show and said that despite the “bullying” behaviour by David Haye and his heated exchange of words with Jimmy Bullard, he stayed “true to myself and that is something I will always be proud of.”
Posting his emotional statement on social media, the Waterloo Road actor penned: “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.”
At one point in the series, Adam was forced to stand up for himself against David Haye, following his relentless teasing, which Adam said had gone beyond a joke.
And further into the series, viewers saw how much the show meant to the star when Jimmy decided to quit halfway through a task, forfeiting Adam’s experience on the show.
He added: “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. Family means everything to me, and there is one person who has been my rock through it all. Happy birthday to my Beautiful wife, you have stood by me when things were tough and reminded me of my strength when I needed it most. I would not be who I am without you.”
He concluded his post saying: “To everyone who supported me, who believed in me and showed love, thank you, it means more than I can ever put into words. And to those who doubted me or tried to bring me down, I carry no negativity towards you. I have already won in the ways that matter most. I have love, I have happiness and I have stayed true to myself, and that is something no one can ever take away from me. I hope one day you can do the same.”
(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)