A stunned silence fell over theI’m A Celebritycamp as David Haye casually described his girlfriend as an “ugly duckling.” The comment, delivered with a chilling lack of awareness, immediately sparked outrage from fellow contestants.
Scarlett Moffat was quick to challenge the former boxer, sharply responding, “You can’t say that, David!” But Haye doubled down, attempting to justify his words with a bizarre explanation about personality compensating for perceived physical shortcomings.
He elaborated on his “ugly duckling syndrome” theory, painting a picture of a woman who blossomed later in life but retained the resilience forged during times when she felt overlooked. The campmates listened in disbelief, a palpable tension filling the air.
Beverley Callard, a veteran of the entertainment industry, was particularly vocal in her condemnation, stating she had “never heard anything so sexist” in her life. The moment resonated far beyond the jungle, quickly igniting a firestorm of criticism online.
Viewers took to social media, branding Haye’s remarks as deeply offensive and questioning why such attitudes were being given a platform. A Reddit thread exploded with angry responses, with one user asking why ITV would “give this kind of attitude and behaviour a platform in this day and age?”
The backlash wasn’t limited to anonymous online voices. Celebrities weighed in, with Jedward calling the comments “disrespectful” andTowie’s Saffron Lempriere simply expressing her disgust. Denise Welch, a panelist onLoose Women, didn’t hold back, questioning why Haye had been invited back to the show at all.
Haye’s comments arrived amidst ongoing discussion of his complex personal life. His relationship with model Sian Osborne, and previous rumors of a “throuple” arrangement with singer Una Healy, had already been fodder for camp gossip and playful jabs from hosts Ant and Dec.
Despite producers reportedly hoping for candid discussion about his relationships, Haye had initially resisted delving into the details. Yet, his unsolicited commentary on his girlfriend’s appearance proved far more revealing – and damaging – than any planned conversation.
The incident highlighted a troubling dynamic within the show. Unlike the main series,I’m A Celebrity South Africais pre-recorded, denying viewers the immediate power to influence the outcome through voting. This left many feeling helpless to directly address Haye’s behavior.
Beyond the immediate controversy, the incident sparked a broader conversation about the normalization of harmful attitudes and the responsibility of television platforms to challenge them. It was a moment that left a lasting stain on the show, and raised serious questions about the kind of behavior that is considered acceptable in the pursuit of entertainment.
