Sinitta recounts her experience of the chaotic live final, explaining why she and Gemma Collins walked off and how arguments overshadowed Adam Thomas's win
The live finale of I’m A Celebrity took an unexpectedly stormy turn when a heated exchange between campmates boiled over on stage. Singer and former contestant Sinitta said she felt compelled to leave the studio alongside Gemma Collins after an on‑air confrontation made some participants come across as bullies.
Though Adam Thomas was declared the winner by the public vote, the celebratory moment was eclipsed by accusations and interruptions that left viewers and fellow celebrities unsettled.
At the heart of the fallout were allegations from former footballer Jimmy Bullard that Mr Thomas had behaved in an “abusive, aggressive and intimidating” way during a prior jungle clash, and that certain expletives had been used off camera.
Boxer David Haye then challenged the production, claiming that the broadcast had been selectively edited and that the programme’s portrayal did not match his experience. Sinitta said the tone and timing of the exchanges made it impossible for some people to state their views calmly, which contributed to her decision to exit the stage.
What happened on air
The sequence unfolded as campmates and hosts were invited to reflect on the series. Bullard asked hosts Ant and Dec for their perspective, asserting they had been eyewitnesses and could confirm the intensity of the original row with Adam Thomas. Ant McPartlin disputed the suggestion that the earlier encounter was aggressive, saying he had “been there” and disagreed with that assessment. David Haye seized the moment to accuse the show of editing the footage in ways that favoured one narrative, prompting sharp interruptions and a breakdown of the usual live‑show decorum.
Reactions from contestants and witnesses
Fellow campmates’ perspectives
Several former contestants reacted strongly to the turbulence. Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts described the scene as “unhinged”, likening it to a confrontational daytime talk show where emotions spiralled into shouting, tears and even physical gestures. Ex‑manager and competitor Harry Redknapp echoed that sentiment, calling the finale a “nightmare” and noting the atmosphere felt more like conflict than a celebration. Others who remained measured stressed that much of the real‑time tension stemmed from long‑running interpersonal issues carried into the live setting.
Psychological and production viewpoints
A television psychologist who reviewed the footage suggested the hosts may have inadvertently escalated the scene by stepping out of their usual role as moderators. The expert argued that live presenters act as emotional anchors for both audience and participants, and that when they become entangled in disputes the structure of the broadcast can quickly destabilize. In response to accusations of biased editing and unfair depiction, ITV defended its approach, stating the programme provided a “fair and accurate representation” and emphasising that all campmates were invited to speak at the finale.
Implications for reality television
The clash raises broader questions about how reality shows handle conflict after filming ends. The tension between edited footage and the contestants’ lived experiences can create a sense of injustice when participants feel misrepresented. That mismatch often flares in public formats where emotional grievances are aired under bright lights and time constraints, denying a calmer, private opportunity to reconcile. For viewers, the result can be a spectacle that overshadows the intended narrative — in this case the crowning of a series winner.
Ultimately, Adam Thomas‘s triumph was recorded but felt partly overshadowed by the commotion that followed. Sinitta has said she found the moments disturbing and that the exchanges made some campmates appear to be provoking others rather than resolving matters. As reality formats continue to blend live reaction with editorial storytelling, producers, presenters and participants will likely face renewed scrutiny over how to balance entertainment with responsible stewardship of disagreements on camera.
