The atmosphere after theI’m a Celebrityfinale was anything but celebratory, according to Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly. The duo recently addressed the unexpected events of the evening on their podcast, revealing a surprisingly calm encounter with Jimmy Bullard amidst reports of a confrontation.
Ant set the scene: leaving the studio, he spotted David Haye and Jimmy Bullard standing in the car park. Initially, he braced himself for an awkward situation, but Haye simply expressed his enjoyment of the show – a sentiment Ant didn’t entirely share. A brief, amicable exchange followed with Bullard, a simple handshake and mutual well-wishes, dispelling rumors of a heated argument.
“There was no confrontation,” Ant emphasized. “He wasn’t shouting at me. I wasn’t shouting at him.” He even playfully noted a member of his team carried his bag with a flourish, reminiscent of Beyoncé’s entourage, further highlighting the lack of tension.
Dec corroborated the story, recounting his own conversation with Haye, who casually inquired about the ratings. This revealed a characteristic nonchalance, with Haye seemingly accustomed to provoking reactions – a tactic honed from his boxing career.
The hosts expressed disappointment that the show’s conclusion lacked the celebratory spirit they’d envisioned. They had hoped to address each celebrity individually, but the unfolding events prevented that. The evening’s disruption was a stark contrast to the joyful finale they’d planned.
Adding to the uncertainty, Ant and Dec admitted they weren’t sure what to expect going into the live final. Rumors of discontent within the camp, including Gemma Collins and Adam leaving the group chat, and doubts about Jimmy Bullard’s attendance, created a sense of unpredictability.
They explained that after David Haye began heckling from the audience, they offered him a chance to respond on stage, perhaps underestimating the extent of his reply. While they attempted to maintain professionalism and keep the show on track, the situation ultimately extended longer than they anticipated.
Ultimately, the duo lamented the fact that the culmination of the series didn’t feel like the triumphant moment it should have been, overshadowed by unexpected drama and a lack of the intended celebratory atmosphere.
