Ashley Roberts

In an emotional statement, I’m A Celebrity… South Africa star Adam Thomas admitted he struggled in camp due to his health and clashes with David Haye and Jimmy Bullard

A friend of I’m a Celebrity… South Africa star Adam Thomas has spoken out after seeing the actor’s confrontational side on the show. The 37-year-old has faced a number of challenging moments in the all-stars series – and not just in the Bushtucker trials.

In scenes aired on Tuesday night, Adam clashed with Jimmy Bullard after the former footballer withdrew from the Rancid Run trial, putting their time in camp in jeopardy.

During the heated exchange, the actor criticised Jimmy for his decision to pull out and called him a “p***k”, while the sportsman branded his reaction “pathetic”.

The tension came after the Waterloo Road actor confronted David Haye over his behaviour in previous days. The boxer had been accused of “bullying” Adam by some viewers, following a series of remarks.

As tensions escalated, David branded his co-star “useless” and questioned his “mental strength” to complete challenges, despite Adam telling campmates he was unwell.

The actor eventually confronted David in a heated exchange, telling him to “shut up” before the boxer apologised.

Reflecting on the fallout, Ashley Roberts, who also appeared in the series, described the atmosphere as “tough” during a discussion on Heart Radio Breakfast.

The show’s host Jason King went on to say that seeing Adam in a more serious way on screen suggested he had been pushed to his limits.

“I know Adam very, very well and he is the loveliest, most cheerful, smiley, happy guy. If you’ve broken Adam, David, you’ve done something wrong,” he shared.

Ashley chimed in: “It was nice for him to stand up for himself. It starts as lad banter, but we could tell it was going too far.

“And then finally Adam was like, ‘I’ve just had enough’ and we were like, ‘Go on Adam!’ It was tough in there at times, it was tough in general just being in there, let alone having to deal with all of that.”

David was voted out of camp on Monday night. In his exit interview with hosts Ant and Dec, he said there was “no bad blood” between him and Adam and claimed it was banter.

“I won the world heavyweight championship against a seven-foot Russian giant,” he shared.

“So when a grown man tells me that a fun TV show – where we’re being paid handsomely every single day – is the hardest thing he’s ever been through, it’s just not a frequency I recognise. I was actually on my best behaviour in there, honestly.

“I’ve spoken to Adam, I’ve said my piece, and some of what’s still to air will speak for itself. I’ll leave it there.”

In a statement shared on Instagram on Sunday evening, Adam said the boxer “broke me” in camp and “pushed me to my limits”, adding: “I’ve told David this and he’s apologised – that’s that. I’ve moved on now, I’m not one to hold a grudge.”

He went on to say he also struggled in camp due to his psoriatic arthritis, a long-term condition that can cause joint pain, swelling and stiffness.

I’m A Celebrity… South Africa airs weeknights at 9pm on ITV, ITVX, STV and STV Player.

I’m A Celebrity… South Africa star Ashley Roberts is marking her birthday with her new campmates

Viewers of I’m A Celebrity… South Africa will see one of the campmates celebrate their birthday in a unique way during the latest episode.

Pussycat Dolls star Ashley Roberts can be seen volunteering for a trial during the episode to be aired on Friday, April 17 – despite it being her birthday. But her co-stars feel she should put her feet up on her special day.

Instead it’s Mo Farah taking on Termite Terror where Ant McPartlin instructs: “You need to make your way into the termite mound and down into the nest below. Once you’re down there, your mission is simple: you must dig, crawl and scramble through the tunnels, collecting stars as you go.”

Meanwhile, birthday girl Ashley has another announcement as she tells everyone they need to leave camp immediately for the day’s challenge – Balance of Power.

She tells them: “Celebrities, in front of you are two pits and eleven balance paddles. You must each take hold of a paddle and keep it steady to prevent your ball from falling into the pit. When you drop your ball, you are eliminated. The last person standing wins.”

The celebrities position themselves behind their paddles and the challenge begins. While some adopt peculiar techniques, they quickly realise it’s an endurance challenge rather than one of skill.

As night falls, most celebrities are still standing, balancing balls on their paddles with focus as the eliminated campmates try to distract them from the sidelines.

The group makes a unanimous decision to throw the game by dropping their paddles and letting one person win. But will Ashley be given that chance as the birthday gift?

How old is Ashley Roberts?

Ashley Roberts is 44 years old. While the I’m a Celebrity episode featuring her birthday airs on April 17, her actual birthday is on September 14.

Episodes of the original series of I’m a Celebrity, which airs in November and December, are broadcast live from Australia but the current all stars series was pre-recorded in South Africa and the latest scenes were filmed seven months ago.

However, the series finale will be broadcast live from London in two parts on Friday 24 April. It will run on ITV1 and ITVX from 7.30pm until 9pm. The winner’s announcement will then air at 10pm.

The entire celebrity cast will gather and the public will get the chance to vote for this year’s I’m a Celebrity legend.

I’m A Celebrity… South Africa is on ITV1 and ITVX

David Haye is set to target the Rhino’s dinner in tonight’s edition of I’m A Celebrity…South Africa amid what is already a controversial time in the jungle for the boxer

David Haye is set to target the Rhino’s dinner in tonight’s edition of I’m A Celebrity…South Africa. The boxer, 45, is currently taking part in the all-stars edition of Ant and Dec’s ITV reality survival show and is a member of the Lion’s team alongside Harry Redknapp and Ashley Roberts.

Rumours that stealing food in camp, which has been divided by a fence, have been rife and in Wednesday’s episode, the sports star looks set to pocket the rival team’s dinner.

As the food is lowered into camp, David says confidently : “I can’t wait for the food to get here. It’s not going to be easy getting up there but where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

READ MORE: David Haye’s brutal snub to Gemma Collins as I’m A Celeb fans left ragingREAD MORE: I’m A Celebrity fans predict Gemma Collins will win show after telling camp moment

Immediately taken aback by his plan, Olympian Sir Mo Farah tells his teammate: “Damn, brother. No, I think we should just let them have it… technically they did win it.”

But David remains undeterred as he says: “This is the Lions’ lair, anything coming in here is getting eaten,” However, their conversation is overhear by Coronation Street star Craig Charles from the other side of the fence.

He says: “You’re not really going to steal the bag, are you? You can’t steal the bag off our girls who just won the challenge!” Whether he is successful in his ploy remains to be seen, but David wastes no time as he sets about King Harry’s throne to propel himself nearer to the food bag.

The boxing star has had quite the controversial time in camp already – having already made offensive comments about women and seemingly directed a joke about weight at Gemma Collins. After suffering a defeat in a trial, David admitted that he did not like losing and it would “eat him up for a while,” and it was then that Gemma went to comfort him over the loss, which left fans confused, especially after he made insulting comments to her earlier in the week.

He said: “It’s gonna eat me up for a while. They tried to get under my skin, and they have; that’s what they should do, and I expect nothing less. I don’t like losing any rounds.” It was at that point that Gemma, who, as a member of the team on the other side of the fence, made the forbidden move to speak to him, and he began by saying: “Hello sweetheart” when he saw her.

She said: “You’re not a loser, David. Don’t be hard on yourself, tomorrow is another day, dust it off, you’re always a champ, you know that. Love ya. Come on, it’s not the end of the world.” Gemma then hugged her co-star before heading off.

Then, in the Bush Telegraph, Gemma said: “Obviously, there’s been a bit of banter between us. I’ve seen a different side to David.” But fans were left taken aback as to why the TOWIE legend had been so kind and understanding towards him, especially as he made comments last night which seemingly referred to her weight.

David’s controversy all started innocently enough when it was suggested the group of celebs should meet up for a party when they left the show, and David said his girlfriend Sian was a great cook and could possibly provide food for the event.

He then added: “She’s like tall, blue eyes. She’s lovely. She’s got the personality of a proper ugly bird.” Scarlett Moffatt replied: “You can’t say that.”

But David brushed off the response and added: “She has. Most ugly girls realise they don’t they’re not pretty enough to….they gotta have a personality to banter and to tell jokes and s**t, so people overlook the fact that they’re not aesthetically amazing, straight away.

“Which is what’s called Ugly Duckling syndrome, where girls are ugly, when they start off, and then they and then they kind of they, they get pretty as they get older. But they still got the personality of when they’re ugly. Does that make sense?”

As Scarlett and others made shocked noises, David continued to express his opinions. Haye added: “You get a girl who’s pretty from day one, you get a girl who’s different day one. Everyone goes ‘You’re so beautiful. You’re amazing’. She grows up thinking, I’m amazing. Everyone loves me. I can open any door. I can go anywhere I want.” Later on, Gemma was talking about how “thick” her hair is, and David quipped: “It certainly ain’t thin.”

I’m A Celebrity…South Africa airs weeknights 9PM on ITV1, ITVX, STV AND STV PLAYER

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Ashley Roberts returns to the I’m A Celebrity camp 14 years after she finished runner-up on the show Down Under and she will rejoin former stars as she bids to go one better

Ashley Roberts’ second stint in the I’m A Celebrity jungle is here after she headed to South Africa 2012. The songstress, now 44, finished runner-up in her camp behind EastEnders star Charlie Brooks.

And while she will be reappearing alongside former campmate David Haye, who finished in third, the former Pussycat Dolls star will be hoping to go one better this time around.

The second series of the ITV spin-off, which features some of the show’s most memorable campmates, is set to launch tonight (Monday, April 6) and Ashley labelled her comeback a “no brainer”.

Hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly will join the returning stars in the South African jungle for some of the biggest trials in I’m A Celebrity … history. Away from the small screen, Ashley has had a lot of eyes on her for other reasons too…

READ MORE: I’m a Celeb’s Seann Walsh screams in horror in trial with Sinitta in first-lookREAD MORE: Why did Craig Charles quit I’m A Celebrity the first time as he returns for second take

Declan Donnelly links

Ashley Roberts has been linked with a number of high-profile romances over the years. A year after her first I’m A Celebrity experience, the American was rumoured to have been dating the show’s host, Dec.

While the rumours were never concrete, they were spotted together and Roberts admitted to “getting to know” him. Dec has since married talent manager Ali Astall, with the pair tying the knot in 2015.

Ryan Fletcher romance

A year after the Dec rumours, Ashley had moved on to fellow musician, Ryan Fletcher. The bassist for pop-rock band Lawson dated the Pussycat Dolls star in 2014, but their romance was short lived.

The pair were spotted at the time looking affectionate at a Justin Timberlake concert in London. Despite previously claiming to be just friends, the guitarist confirmed their relationship months later. He told us at the time: “Ashley and I are great – I’m loving it at the moment. It doesn’t feel like we’re in the spotlight and we see each other when we can.

“We are both really busy so we make the most of the time we get together. We just don’t think about everyone watching us and just get on with it.” Sadly for the pair, the flame fizzled out and they’re romance ended shortly after.

Giovanni Pernice relationship

The former Strictly star was all loved up with Ashley between 2018 and 2020. The duo met on the popular BBC dance show and quickly became an item.

The grew close in rehearsals, but managed kept their relationship a secret until after the show ended. Ashley was paired with pro Pasha Kovalev on the series, while Giovanni was teamed up with Steps star Faye Tozer.

The Italian announced the shock split in a tweet at the time, writing: “@ImAshleyRoberts and I have made the decision to separate as a couple. We remain friends and wish each other well for the future.”

He had previously gushed: “I never thought anyone would ever make me smile, laugh and steal my heart as fast as you did !! I love you amore.”

Pussycat Dolls feud

Five years after the group’s previous comeback was called off due to the coronavirus pandemic and a brutal feud, Ashley is part of the plans to bring the band back together. However, three members won’t be joining as an ongoing feud ensues.

In 2012, Ashley and Kimberly Wyatt sensationally quit the group, with Kimberly blasting Nicole Scherzinger in a scathing statement. While Kimberly claimed Nicole was “no friend of hers,” Ashley was a bit more tactful with her exit.

She said at the time on her official website: “Yes, I have left the Pussycat Dolls..I love you all sooo much!!! I am so grateful to have the love and support of all of you. It was an amazing ride and I learned so much!

“I am currently have gotten the acting bug and am falling in love with it. I have a few projects in the works and when ready I will announce more details to all of you.”

And it appears her polite exit has helped with the reunion. Nicole, Ashley and Kimberly will all return to the stage, but without Melody Thornton, Jessica Sutta or Carmit Bachar.

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