Jimmy Bullard and Ant McPartlin came face to face in an awkward moment after the I’m a Celeb final show
Jon Doel. and Sara Baalla Screen Time TV Reporter
08:35, 25 Apr 2026Updated 08:40, 25 Apr 2026
It was a difficult night for ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! South Africa’ hosts Ant and Dec(Image: Copyright (c) 2026 Shutterstock )
I’m a Celebrity contestant Jimmy Bullard was seen confronting host Ant McPartlin in the car park of the studio after Friday night’s explosive live final that descended into chaos.
Bullard took his opportunity during the show to accuse fellow campmate and eventual winner Adam Thomas of being “abusive, aggressive and intimidating” during their time in South Africa.
At one point, host Ant stepped in to disagree with Bullard, denying Thomas had been intimidating during the altercation.
Pictures online have now shown Bullard approaching McPartlin as he left the studio with his wife, with the presenter surrounded by security. McPartlin eventually seemed to laugh as Bullard remostarted and a security guard stepped in, according to the Daily Mail.
Although the main series was pre-recorded in September, the final was broadcast live from London, with Ant and Dec at the helm. All four finalists were in attendance, alongside the majority of the previously eliminated stars, including Bullard, David Haye, Ashley Roberts, Seann Walsh, Gemma Collins, and Sinitta.
It has been a turbulent series packed with dramatic twists, most notably surrounding Waterloo Road and Emmerdale actor Adam.
Jimmy Bullard spoke out(Image: ITV)
The star was thrust into the spotlight amid a “bullying” row with Haye, which the latter strongly denied. He subsequently found himself embroiled in a heated confrontation with Bullard during one of the trials.
Viewers were left split down the middle when the pair clashed after Jimmy chose to walk away from the Rancid Run trial, resulting in both he and his partner Adam facing elimination.
Adam was filmed shouting at Jimmy, before later breaking down in tears when his fellow campmates decided to allow him to stay in the camp. Several of Adam’s co-stars have since spoken out about the altercation, with many claiming that the full footage was never aired. ITV had previously released a statement maintaining that they broadcast an accurate portrayal of the confrontation between Adam and Jimmy.
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…. You were there, you had front row seats, you didn’t show none of the C-bombs.”
Ant then challenged the star, responding: “Now, hold on, the reason we can’t show a C-bomb is because that’s unbroadcastable. I was there and I didn’t think it was intimidating. No, I was there, Jim.
“Listen, I take full responsibility for my actions, yes, emotions were definitely running high in that moment. I’ve got nothing but love for Jimmy,” Adam replied, with David interjecting: “It’s a funny way of showing it.” The row continued, with Dec saying: “David, you were gone, you weren’t even there! Keep out of this!”
Adam then added: “Listen, I’ve apologised to Jimmy on numerous occasions, okay? And I do take, you know, everything that he’s saying into account and the only thing that I can do is apologise, you know? That’s not how I want to, you know, show myself off.
“I’ve never ever shown myself off in that light before that or even after that and I’ve apologised. I am sorry, Jimmy.”
The incident between Jimmy Bullard and Adam Thomas(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
David then interrupted again to which Ant hit back saying: “David, hold on a second, you’re not getting involved in this for a second, right? Because like we said, you weren’t there at that moment!”
As tensions reached fever pitch, Gemma and Sinitta walked off set while Bullard and Haye continued to demand the “real coverage” be aired. Ant was left with little choice but to intervene, urging everyone to settle down, declaring: “We show the full and fair representation of what happened on the show.”
Speaking previously about the moment Jimmy forfeited the trial, Adam said: “It was just really random and unexpected to be honest. I didn’t see it coming. Safe to say, I don’t think I was too happy about it.
“The fact I felt like I was leaving because of someone else just really broke my heart more than anything as I wanted to do my kids proud. Emotions can get the better of you in there and in hindsight, I probably would never have reacted the way I did but I was just really upset.”
In the wake of the explosive and chaotic live final, Adam was announced as the winner. Nevertheless, fans couldn’t help but notice that Adam appeared somewhat downcast following the heated rows in the studio.