Former Fulham footballer and I'm A Celebrity...South Africa star Jimmy Bullard is reportedly preparing to take legal action against ITV bosses over a contentious fee dispute. According to sources, Bullard has sought legal counsel after being informed by the broadcaster that his full payment for the all-stars spin-off is contingent upon his appearance at the series finale.
Fee Contingency Sparks Legal Battle
The final episode of I'm A Celebrity...South Africa is scheduled to air live from London this Friday, allowing ITV viewers to vote for the winner. Bullard, however, exited the show during Tuesday night's broadcast after a heated fallout from a Bushtucker Trial with fellow contestant Adam Thomas. In the trial, Bullard famously declared, 'I'm a celebrity, get me out of here,' putting both himself and Thomas up for elimination, ultimately leading to his own departure as the fourth contestant to leave the South African camp.
Contractual Obligations and Negotiations Breakdown
Reports indicate that campmates are contractually required to attend the series finale, with failure to do so resulting in a 20% reduction in pay. Negotiations between Bullard and ITV reportedly broke down after returning from South Africa, where the episodes were filmed last autumn. Bullard subsequently informed ITV that he would not be appearing at the live finale in London, escalating the conflict.
A source close to the situation told the Daily Mail, 'None of this is Jimmy's fault. It feels like ITV has taken Adam's side rather than Jimmy's. Maybe that's because they see a working future with him, who knows. But he was left completely baffled at Adam being allowed to carry on.'
Allegations of Edited Conflict and ITV's Response
The dispute follows claims that ITV edited footage of a row between Thomas and Bullard to exclude alleged physical violence and offensive language. Sources allege that only a fraction of the confrontation was aired, with scenes including Thomas calling Bullard a 'c***' and attempting to kick him being cut from broadcast. An insider stated, 'Adam just completely lost it and went for Jimmy. He called him a c*** and Jimmy believes that he tried to kick him, too,' adding that 'Jimmy's view is that Adam was vile, vicious, and violent, but most of it has been cut out by ITV so the viewers will not see the full extent of his behaviour.'
In response, an ITV spokesperson denied the kicking claims, stating, 'This is categorically not true. Adam did not try to kick Jimmy.' The broadcaster has also previously refuted allegations of editing out physical violence and the c-word from the aired episodes.
Broader Context and Industry Implications
This legal threat comes amid other controversies on the show, including Beverley Callard's medical exit and Ant and Dec's criticism of David Haye. Bullard's case highlights potential issues in reality TV contracts and fee structures, raising questions about fairness and transparency in the industry. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Bullard will proceed with legal action or if a settlement can be reached before the finale.
