I'm A Celebrity crowns 'jungle legend' after eventful all-star series

Spoiler warning: This article reveals details about the final of I'm A Celebrity... South Africa.

Actor Adam Thomas has emerged victorious as the king of the jungle in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!'s highly anticipated all-star edition, following an emotionally charged series filmed in South Africa that captivated audiences with intense personal conflicts and unexpected twists.

Thomas's journey to victory proved far from straightforward, marked by confrontations with fellow contestants including boxer David Haye and former footballer Jimmy Bullard. His most dramatic moment came when a heated dispute with Bullard nearly resulted in his elimination from the competition, only to see his fellow campmates grant him a remarkable second chance.

The transformation from potential early exit to ultimate triumph culminated in Friday's live final on ITV, where Thomas prevailed over an impressive field of finalists including Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah, beloved TV and radio personality Craig Charles, and renowned football manager Harry Redknapp.

This South Africa-based spin-off represents the second series featuring returning contestants, giving Thomas an opportunity to improve upon his third-place finish in the original 2016 series.

Thomas's time in camp included challenging personal moments, particularly his interactions with David Haye, who made disparaging comments about his character, labeling him "weak" and "brittle-spirited." Reflecting on the experience through social media, Thomas, 37, candidly described the show as "one of the toughest things I've ever been through, physically, mentally, and emotionally."

Demonstrating remarkable grace under pressure, Thomas addressed the conflict directly, stating that Haye had "broke me in there" and "pushed me to my limits," while confirming that the boxer had since apologized and that he harbored no lingering resentment.

Adding another layer of complexity to his experience, Thomas revealed the significant impact of his psoriatic arthritis during filming, acknowledging that he hadn't discussed the condition "as much as I should do" but that it "really took its toll" during the competition.

The series reached a boiling point when Thomas and Bullard partnered for a crucial trial where the losing pair faced elimination. When Bullard unexpectedly forfeited by uttering the show's iconic exit phrase, Thomas responded with an explosive confrontation that required significant editing for broadcast.

Charles later revealed the extent of Thomas's reaction, explaining that producers had "watered it down" because the original footage was "unbroadcastable" and describing the scene as "deeply traumatic" and "really upsetting," with Thomas appearing "so wound up" and "aggressive."

Bullard defended his decision to quit, explaining his desire to return home, while dismissing Thomas's reaction as "pathetic." However, in an unprecedented move, show hosts Ant and Dec allowed the remaining campmates to vote on Thomas's fate, resulting in unanimous support for his continuation in the competition.

In a reflective Instagram post, Thomas acknowledged that while "a lot of my time in camp which has been aired recently has been drama," the experience also included "so much more... so many laughs and so much love and warmth."

The series followed a unique format where all camp activities were filmed months in advance, with only the winner determination reserved for the live London finale.

Series Controversies

The current series faced multiple challenges beyond the interpersonal conflicts. Former Coronation Street actress Beverley Callard was forced to withdraw after collapsing in the show's Bush Telegraph confessional. She later revealed a breast cancer diagnosis, identifying her time filming I'm A Celebrity as "the start of everything" regarding her health concerns.

Medical advice prevented Callard from attending Friday's finale, prompting her to express disappointment while prioritizing her recovery, stating that "resting up and getting well is more important at the moment."

David Haye generated additional controversy through his comments about women, including controversial remarks about his girlfriend's personality. Following his elimination on Monday's episode, Haye selected TV personality Gemma Collins for departure, removing a fan favorite who was participating 12 years after her original withdrawal from the regular series.

Craig Charles brought emotional depth to the series, returning after being forced to leave a previous season due to his brother's sudden death.

The complete roster of contestants included TV personality Scarlett Moffatt, singers Sinitta and Ashley Roberts, and comedian Seann Walsh, creating a diverse mix of personalities that contributed to the series' compelling dynamics.