Adam Thomas Reveals He Nearly Quit I'm A Celebrity After David Haye 'Broke' Him
Adam Thomas has candidly discussed his extremely challenging experience filming I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here South Africa, admitting that fellow contestant David Haye "broke me and pushed me to my limits." The 37-year-old actor shared these vulnerable revelations in a detailed Instagram post on Sunday, April 19, 2026, explaining the immense physical and emotional toll the show took on him.
The Physical and Emotional Struggle
Thomas, who was diagnosed with autoimmune psoriatic arthritis in 2023, disclosed that his chronic condition made the jungle environment nearly unbearable. The actor entered the competition hoping to demonstrate his resilience, but the damp conditions, lack of proper bedding, and rigorous physical challenges of the South African wilderness created a perfect storm of agony.
Reflecting on a specific image of himself looking distraught in a hammock, Adam expressed profound heartbreak. "Not going to lie, this picture breaks my heart," he wrote. "I know on the inside what I was dealing with, and truth be told I thought it was all my fault. I now know that's not the reality."
He described his time in the jungle as "one of the toughest things I've ever been through, physically, mentally, and emotionally." For Adam, the exhaustion extended beyond hunger or trials to the immense effort required to conceal his condition from campmates and cameras.
The Conflict with David Haye
The physical strain was significantly compounded by a fractured camp dynamic, particularly with former boxer David Haye. The friction reportedly ignited after Thomas broke a fundamental show rule by smuggling chocolate into the camp for the rival "Lions" team. When discovered, the entire group lost two hard-earned food stars, drastically reducing their dinner portions.
David Haye, known for his disciplined athletic background, did not take the nutrient loss lightly. The boxer suggested that Adam, as the culprit, should receive a smaller portion than everyone else, creating immediate discomfort throughout the camp.
Adam described the toll of Haye's relentless focus on the mistake: "It's safe to say that David wasn't happy and he's blaming me, right. He just doesn't stop going on about it... to a point where I'm like I don't know whether it's banter or whether he actually believes it."
Psychological Impact and Personal Growth
The actor admitted the constant pressure made him feel as though he was losing his sense of self. Watching the footage back was difficult because there were times he "didn't even recognise myself" due to the stress and feeling of being bullied or cornered.
Despite what he described as "hollow empty gestures" from Haye and excruciating physical pain, Adam emerged with a new perspective on strength. He expressed regret over his initial silence, wishing he had stood his ground earlier rather than trying to maintain a fragile peace.
"I wish I spoke up for myself sooner," Adam stated. "I wish I stood my ground instead of trying to keep the peace, but I've learned that being kind doesn't mean being weak, and sometimes it takes going through tough moments to find your voice."
Reconciliation and Moving Forward
Adam confirmed that he and David Haye have since reconciled. He reached out to the boxer post-filming to express how the situation had affected him, leading to a formal apology from Haye.
"He broke me in there, he pushed me to my limits, and I've told David this and he's apologised and that's that!" Adam revealed. "I've moved on now, am not one to hold a grudge."
The experience, while harrowing, ultimately provided Adam Thomas with valuable insights about resilience, self-advocacy, and the complex nature of strength in challenging circumstances.
