Ashley Roberts says she still hasn’t recovered from her I’m A Celebrity… South Africa experience after Friday’s ‘unhinged’ live final ended ‘like a scene from The Jerry Springer Show’.
The Pussycat Doll reunited with her campmates for the final instalment, recorded live at London’s Apollo Theatre, on Friday evening, months after filming the bulk of the show at South Africa’s Kruger National Park in September.
But she found herself caught between aggrieved ex-footballer Jimmy Bullard and former boxer David Haye as they reignited a furious row with eventual winner Adam Thomas.
‘It was unhinged! I felt like I was on a Jerry Springer show,’ Roberts, 44, told Heart Radio co-hosts Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston on Monday.
‘It was just unbelievable! People were walking off and there were hands flying everywhere, there was yelling, emotions and crying, it was wild! I don’t feel like I’m fully recovered if I’m honest with you.
‘Everybody was trying to say their piece, but David [Haye] and Jimmy [Bullard] came in with a mission, I’ll just say that.’
Ashley Roberts says she still hasn’t recovered from her I’m A Celebrity … South Africa experience after Friday’s live final ended ‘like a scene from The Jerry Springer Show’
Thomas had accused Bullard of almost causing his elimination from the camp, reigniting a spat which began when the ex-midfielder refused to do a Bushtucker Trial challenge, putting both of their positions at risk as they were partnered up.
And Roberts was caught in the crossfire from her place alongside Haye as the hulking former boxer combined with Bullard to publicly attack the actor.
‘I was just trying to dodge big man hands flying in my face,’ she recalled. ‘I thought at one point I was going to get smacked.
‘It was absolute chaos. It’s a shame really because Adam did become the legend and I don’t think he was even able to enjoy it because of all of the drama that went on.
‘He had a really tough time in there and it was unfortunate that they had a moment to discuss things as adults and maybe clear the air a little bit. But instead, it was yelling and unfortunate behaviour.’
Holden admitted she was appalled by Friday’s scenes, describing both Bullard and Haye as “just horrific and just absolutely awful.”
‘Not all of the men I should say. Adam [Thomas], Harry [Redknapp] and Craig [Charles] there’s different things going on.’
Roberts added: ‘I was disappointed and my heart hurt a bit inside because there’s so much going on in the world and for us to then treat each other like that. We all went through this really tough experience, and we all could have sat and discussed as adults.
‘It’s a TV show and it’s supposed to be entertaining, and I was just a little bit disappointed by their behaviour.’
Roberts also accused Haye, a divisive character during his time in camp, of exaggerating his aggressive character for the benefit of ITV viewers.
‘I was angry because I was seeing the way these men were speaking to one another and it made me really sad,’ she said.
‘Because the world is a crazy place already and I feel like David was maybe trying to go in there with this persona to entertain people, but I think it really affected Adam.’
Roberts found herself caught between aggrieved ex-footballer Jimmy Bullard and former boxer David Haye as they reignited a furious row with eventual winner Adam Thomas
‘It was absolute chaos. It’s a shame really because Adam did become the legend and I don’t think he was even able to enjoy it because of all of the drama that went on’
I’m A Celebrity… South Africa hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly tried to wind down the row during Friday’s live show, which saw Haye and Bullard clash with the Thomas, while Sinitta and TV personality Gemma Collins stormed off set.
Hours later another ITV show descended into disarray with security dragging an audience member out of the Hammersmith Apollo in West London. Police were forced to arrest the woman and take her away in a police van.
But Roberts has disputed recent claims that Haye made amends with Thomas following Friday’s row.
‘I don’t remember that part,’ she said. ‘David was trying to be like “oh buddy, you’re going to win this, you’re going to win this!” Because of maybe the way he was going at him but Adam didn’t like that.
‘[Adam] also did not enjoy the, in quotations, lads banter that was going on. Everybody is different and some people aren’t built to go back and forth like that the way David does. I think it is water of a duck’s back with him.
Asked if Thomas was ‘definitely picked on’ during their time in South Africa, she added: ‘I think David and Adam had some lads banter that went a little bit too far. And I think it was uncomfortable for Adam, and he did stick up for himself at one point.
‘And then the part when him and Jimmy had that moment, I think at the end of the day we are human and is it out of character for Adam to act that way when he exploded? Yes, and he had remorse and he apologised.’
Roberts was seen leaving Heart Radio studios on Monday after discussing her time on the second series of I’m A Celebrity… South Africa
The latest series of I’m A Celebrity… South Africa has been plagued with bullying rows and controversial spats between feuding cast mates.
Thomas had the opportunity to speak to Bullard on Friday, after allegedly calling him the ‘C-word’ in an explosive clash when the footballer called ‘I’m a Celebrity’ in one of the trials, which left Adam in danger of going home.
The actor had previously revealed he was receiving therapy on his At Home With The Thomas Bros podcast, as he emotionally said his ‘feud’ with Haye ‘f***ed’ with him.
Breaking down in tears, he said: ‘It was like being back in school again and although it wasn’t physical bullying or anything like that, and I’m not saying it’s bullying, but he was just mind f***ing me.
‘And I just never stuck up for myself whilst I was in there and I was like “s**t bro, I wish I stuck up for myself”. That was beating me up more than anything.’
He continued: ‘I’m not the same person, like I know for a fact I am not the same person as I was when I went into the jungle to when I came out. It’s changed me and that’s no over exaggeration.
‘I’m in therapy now because, like it’s f***ed 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?”‘
Haye has continued to take swipes at Thomas, including a social media jibe as well as claiming the dad-of-two was paid between ‘£20-25k per day’ for his appearance on the ITV show.
During the final episode, Bullard accused Thomas of being ‘abusive, aggressive and intimidating’ during an expletive row in the pre-recorded show last year.
Haye also chimed in, after taking fresh swipes at Thomas earlier this week, reigniting their feud.
Haye and Bullard clashed with Waterloo Road actor Thomas, while Sinitta and TV personality Gemma Collins stormed off set
Following the chaotic scenes, Thomas’s wife Caroline has said she is ‘horrified’ and that ‘nice guys don’t finish last, they come out on top’.
She wrote: ‘What should have been a night of celebration for everyone, turned into a glimpse of a real jungle, watching a pack of vultures attack!
‘I have never ever seen anything like the vile display that was demonstrated live on national television last night, on what is supposed to be a loved family show full of laughter and fun!
‘Not one bit of that was fun, or “banter”, as a wife my heart is breaking and I will forever be horrified at what I had to sit and watch my husband go through.
‘Even though Adam, the kindest, most loving person was breaking inside, he somehow found a strength to stay calm, composed and once again stand up for himself.
‘So Congratulations my baby…on continuing to stay true to yourself, congratulations on not only winning the show, but winning the hearts of the nation.
‘You showed everyone exactly what a real man should be, and the kind of values every parent should aim to raise their children with poise, dignity, empathy, honesty and simply a big heart.’
