David Haye's Controversial Jungle Exit Sparks I'm A Celebrity Fan Outrage
I'm A Celebrity... South Africa viewers have been left reeling after former world heavyweight boxer David Haye made a shocking elimination decision that fans are branding "evil" and deliberately malicious. The 45-year-old athlete, who has faced mounting criticism throughout the current series, was himself voted out in a dramatic double eviction during last night's episode, only to be given the power to choose another campmate to join him in leaving the jungle.
The Controversial Elimination That Enraged Viewers
In a move that immediately sparked social media fury, Haye selected TOWIE star Gemma Collins as the contestant to accompany him out of the competition. Collins had emerged as a clear fan favorite throughout the series, making Haye's decision particularly galling for loyal viewers who had been following her jungle journey with enthusiasm.
The elimination twist occurred after Haye found himself as the last remaining contestant without votes for salvation during the camp's individual voting process. His subsequent choice to remove Collins has been interpreted by many as a final act of spite before his departure from the show.
Social Media Erupts Over Haye's Decision
Fans took to platform X (formerly Twitter) to express their outrage at what they perceived as Haye's malicious final act. One viewer named Lil wrote passionately: 'The evil David Haye strikes again by sending Gemma home #imaceleb', capturing the sentiment of many disappointed followers.
Another user, Michelle, added: 'David Haye is evil. He's evicted Gemma Collins with him. Oh, you nasty man.' The strong language reflects the depth of feeling among viewers who had grown attached to Collins' presence in the camp.
Andrew, another social media commentator, suggested this action proved Haye was determined to be 'evil right to the very end', lamenting: 'David Haye is finally out, but at what cost?? Bc we lost the og icon.'
Pattern of Controversial Behavior
This latest incident follows a series of controversial moments involving Haye throughout the South Africa series. The boxer had previously drawn criticism for what many considered sexist comments when he described his girlfriend as having 'the personality of a proper ugly bird', attempting to explain this as referencing "ugly duckling syndrome."
Haye also faced accusations of bullying after clashing with fellow contestant Adam Thomas, who had refused to participate in a Bushtucker Trial due to health concerns. Haye's dismissive comment that he didn't like 'guys who are a bit useless' was particularly poorly received after fans learned Thomas has been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and may have been struggling with pain management.
Even show hosts Ant and Dec have publicly expressed discomfort with Haye's behavior, stating they 'don't find it comfortable' to watch his antics during the series.
Collins' Previous Clash with Haye
Last week, Gemma Collins herself called out Haye on social media for what she perceived as fat-shaming behavior, sharing a clip of their conversation that highlighted tensions between the two campmates. This context makes Haye's decision to eliminate her particularly pointed and personal in the eyes of many viewers.
Adam Thomas later reflected on his difficult experience with Haye in camp, issuing a statement where he admitted the heavyweight 'broke' him to his lowest point during the jungle experience. He confessed initially believing the tense atmosphere was his fault, but has since realized this wasn't the case.
Continuing Drama in the Jungle
I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! South Africa continues to deliver dramatic moments as the series progresses. The show airs at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with viewers eagerly anticipating how the camp dynamics will evolve following Haye's controversial departure and Collins' unexpected elimination.
The intense fan reaction demonstrates the powerful emotional investment viewers have in reality television outcomes, particularly when beloved contestants face what appears to be unfair treatment at the hands of controversial figures. The debate surrounding appropriate behavior in competitive environments continues to fuel discussions about reality television ethics and contestant welfare.
