Adam Thomas Crowned I'm A Celebrity Legend in Chaotic Live Finale
Adam Thomas has been crowned the "Ultimate Legend" of I'm A Celebrity...South Africa 2026 in a live finale that descended into chaos, with viewers and commentators widely describing the broadcast as "car crash TV."
The final, which aired on ITV on 24 April 2026, was hosted by Ant and Dec from a London studio and featured a tense reunion of the former campmates that was overshadowed by a very public falling-out between the winner and fellow contestant Jimmy Bullard.
Background
I'm A Celebrity...South Africa is the all-stars version of the long-running ITV reality series, bringing back iconic contestants from the show's history to compete in a new setting. The 2026 series featured a cast of beloved former campmates, including Olympic gold medallist Sir Mo Farah, football manager Harry Redknapp, and Emmerdale actor Adam Thomas, who had previously appeared on the show's main Australian series.
Key Developments
The live finale, broadcast on 24 April, was intended to be a celebratory reunion, but quickly became uncomfortable viewing as tensions between Adam Thomas and Jimmy Bullard boiled over into a heated argument on live television. The confrontation, which reportedly stemmed from a dispute that had been simmering since the show was filmed, left Ant and Dec visibly struggling to manage the situation. Despite the drama, Thomas was ultimately crowned the winner, beating Sir Mo Farah and Harry Redknapp to the title of Ultimate Legend. The show trended on social media throughout the evening, with viewers divided between those who found the chaos entertaining and those who felt it was inappropriate for a primetime family programme.
Why It Matters
The finale attracted significant viewing figures for ITV, demonstrating the enduring popularity of the I'm A Celebrity format even in its all-stars incarnation. The controversy surrounding the live broadcast is likely to generate continued discussion and media coverage in the days ahead, keeping the show in the public eye.
What's Next
ITV has not yet confirmed whether there will be a further series of I'm A Celebrity...South Africa. Adam Thomas is expected to capitalise on his win with media appearances and potential new television projects. The fallout from the on-air argument between Thomas and Bullard is likely to be the subject of further interviews and commentary in the coming days. For more on the finale, see Metro.
