Ashley Roberts described theI’m A Celebrity…South Africafinale as deeply unsettling, comparing the atmosphere to a chaotic episode ofJerry Springer. The singer revealed a palpable tension that overshadowed what should have been a celebratory moment for winner Adam Thomas.
Roberts felt caught in the crossfire, physically positioned between David Haye and Roy Keane, who she believes arrived with a pre-determined agenda. Their focus wasn’t on celebrating a winner, but on revisiting and escalating past conflicts.
The singer explained the situation felt stuck in time, as if the tensions from weeks prior hadn’t dissipated. Instead of a reflective discussion, the finale became a platform for continued confrontation and unresolved issues.
Roberts vividly recalled fearing for her physical safety, describing attempts to “dodge big man hands flying in her face.” She worried the escalating argument might turn physical, creating a genuinely frightening environment.
The drama, she believes, robbed Adam Thomas of the chance to fully savor his victory. Despite enduring a challenging experience on the show, his moment of triumph was tainted by the unfolding chaos and negativity.
Roberts expressed profound disappointment in the behavior displayed, stating her “heart hurt” witnessing the lack of maturity and respect. She felt the incident was particularly disheartening given the broader context of global events.
She emphasized the shared hardship experienced by all the contestants, suggesting a more constructive approach would have been a calm, adult conversation. Instead, the finale devolved into “yelling and unfortunate behaviour,” falling short of being simply entertaining.
Roberts ultimately felt the finale was a missed opportunity for closure and a demonstration of sportsmanship, overshadowed by unnecessary conflict and a lack of grace.
