It was the most anticipated moment of I’m A Celebrity All Stars series so far.
Eight months ago, when the series was being pre-recorded, it was reported that there had been a major bust up between two contestants: actor Adam Thomas and former footballer Jimmy Bullard.
And last night, ITV finally screened the clash – the programme’s biggest ever – with millions tuning in to watch.
The fight erupted following Jimmy’s decision to quit the ‘Rancid Run’ trial – which saw campmates retrieving a series of cogs from a giant, ant-infested abacus using only their mouths – confessing that he ‘didn’t have it in’ him.
It left his teammate Adam incandescent with rage, prompting the most aggressive outburst the show has ever seen, as he screamed at Jimmy: ‘Are you f***ing taking the p***?’
Seconds later, he stormed over to Jimmy, furiously shouting: ‘I am in there getting covered in f***ing ants!’
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The fight erupted following Jimmy Bullard’s decision to quit the ‘Rancid Run’ trial, which left his teammate Adam Thomas (left) incandescent with rage
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After telling Adam to calm down, Jimmy snarked: ‘That’s pathetic.’
Meanwhile, Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts and Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt watched on, bewildered by Adam’s outburst. Hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly were forced to step in and break it up.
Father-of-two Adam, 37, appeared distressed as he attempted to talk to the camera following the trial.
However, I can reveal today that ITV only aired a fraction of what truly unfolded. In fact, sources close to Jimmy tell me he is still ‘seething’ at Adam’s outburst – much of which has been kept a secret by ITV. The channel insists, however, that the episode ‘shows an accurate and fair representation of events’.
I’m told that the network’s claims are ‘rubbish’ and that Adam called Jimmy a ‘c***’ in scenes which were later cut by the broadcaster. Sources close to Jimmy, 47, also claim that Adam tried to kick him, though an ITV spokesperson insists that he kicked ‘a door’, not his fellow contestant.
One insider tells me: ‘Adam just completely lost it and went for Jimmy. He called him a c*** and Jimmy believes that he tried to kick him, too.
‘Jimmy was done by this point and wanted to go home. He just couldn’t be bothered with the trial. But because they were paired together, it meant they would both be booted off the show if they failed, which is why Adam completely lost it.
‘It was shocking. Jimmy’s view is that Adam was vile, vicious and violent, but most of it has been cut out by ITV so the viewers will not see the full extent of his behaviour.
‘Jimmy is devastated by it all, it was supposed to be a celebration of I’m A Celeb, but Adam appeared to have let his temper get the better of him. It spoilt what should have been a wonderful experience for the whole line-up.’
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Waterloo Road star Adam called Jimmy a ‘c***’ in scenes which were later cut by the broadcaster
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Sources close to Jimmy say he is still ‘seething’ at Adam’s outburst – much of which has been kept a secret by ITV
Jimmy and Waterloo Road star Adam – brother of former Coronation Street actor Ryan – were joined by the likes of ex-Corrie star Beverley Callard, former The Only Way Is Essex’s Gemma Collins, Olympian Mo Farah and footballing legend Harry Redknapp for the second series of the I’m A Celeb spin-off – which features stars who have competed in previous series.
The cast were all said to be excited at the prospect of returning to the jungle, albeit not in Australia but South Africa, for some more bushtucker trials.
But the incident means that Jimmy, who won promotion to the Premier League with his team Wigan Athletic back in 2005, is now unhappy about having to attend the live finale of the show. He was notably absent from the launch earlier this month too.
Should Jimmy not attend, he is under threat of losing 20 per cent of his appearance fee from ITV. Furious about this, Jimmy has hired a lawyer to take on the channel and make sure that he gets paid in full.
‘None of this is Jimmy’s fault,’ insists a source close to him. ‘ITV took the decision to allow Adam to return to the programme. Those around Jimmy think this is because they felt sorry for him, which has left him and many of his circle absolutely baffled.
‘It feels like ITV has taken Adam’s side rather than Jimmy’s. Maybe that’s because they see a working future with him, who knows. But he was left completely baffled at Adam being allowed to carry on [on the show].’
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I’m A Celebrity All Stars hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly were forced to step in and break it up the row
Adam and Jimmy have not spoken since the row. Those familiar with both men say that it is unlikely they ever be on good terms again.
‘It’s got really, really bad,’ says one show insider. ‘They know one another through mutual friends, but this has put paid to any kind of friendship now.’
Team Jimmy, I hear, are further furious because they believe that had Adam behaved like that towards anyone else, ITV would have taken immediate action against him.
But, insiders say, Jimmy’s ‘tough guy’ reputation meant the channel let Adam’s behaviour slide.
‘Jimmy was furious because had he acted that way towards anyone else, say Beverley Callard or Scarlett Moffatt, there is no way they could have justified allowing him back on the show,’ says my source.
‘He argued with bosses and told them that they only allowed him back because he stood up to him. He is completely fuming about it all and has instructed a lawyer. He will not be attending Friday night.’
Neither Adam or Jimmy has spoken about their row but at the launch event, Adam insisted he was still pleased to have taken part, but admitted he had found the show’s trials much more difficult than his first experience on the show.
The source added: ‘It’s a real story ending, I’m A Celeb is supposed to be dramatic and juicy, but the row was actually really horrible and affected the rest of the cast. And now it seems like Adam is carrying on like he never did it.
‘Jimmy is not letting this lie.’
