Gemma Collins’ departure means there’s only one worthy I’m A Celebrity winner

Gemma Collins more than proved herself a worthy champion of I’m A Celebrity… South Africa.

She came in determined to shake off The GC and show us the ‘real Gemma Collins’. More than a decade after quitting the jungle on day three, the TOWIE star proved herself to be the trooper few believed she could be, while still being every inch of the meme diva we know and love her for. 

She was easily in prime position to win this entire series but, with her premature exit, there’s only one truly deserving winner left.

After two weeks of David Haye being given far too easy a ride – his misogyny laughed off, his bullish remarks to campmates tolerated, and his disregard for those who don’t train at the gym four times a week overlooked – Adam Thomas finally stood up to the Olympic boxer when no one else would.

Haye’s relentless digs at the Emmerdale actor were becoming increasingly uncomfortable to watch and showed no sign of slowing down. Even Ant and Dec have come off the fence to scold Haye, which is basically unheard of.

In last night’s episode, we saw Thomas pluck up the strength to finally put Haye in his place, instantly evaporating the grotesque bravado which had dominated an otherwise fantastic series.

For that alone, Thomas deserves to be crowned this year’s I’m A Celebrity Legend.

Thomas came third when he competed in the jungle back in 2016, losing out to one of the show’s most popular winners ever, Scarlett Moffatt.

Before that, I didn’t know anything about him, but was drawn in by his pure, unbridled joy and ability to find fun and humour in any situation. In both this series and his last, even when he was at his lowest, he could still smile – even if it was perhaps harder for him than it looked on the surface.

Thomas suffers from arthritis, which he’s barely spoken about – at least on screen – during I’m A Celebrity… South Africa. 

But even amid Haye’s harassment, Thomas refused to blame his chronic condition for having to take things a bit easier than others.

Over the weekend, Thomas said he’d been ‘broken’ by Haye, sharing a photo of himself online looking uncharacteristically glum. He said his condition ‘really took its toll’ and his biggest challenge was putting on a brave face each day.

He also said he wished he’d stood up to Haye sooner, but shared an important lesson with his followers: ‘Being kind doesn’t mean being weak, and sometimes it takes going through tough moments to find your voice.’

If Haye has peddled some of the toxicity that has become scarily synonymous with the manosphere on I’m A Celebrity, Thomas has shown how powerful a man can be when he’s vulnerable and full of empathy.

Even when he confronted Haye, it felt like a proud moment to watch. He kept his integrity completely intact and managed to shut up the playground bully.

In tonight’s episode, perhaps with a newfound self-confidence, he finds himself embroiled in another row – this time with Jimmy Bullard. It’s an argument so explosive, according to reports, that the former footballer is refusing to attend the live final, which will hopefully see Thomas crowned the winner.

As it stands, there is next to no context for the row, but Bullard’s ‘banter’ during his series of I’m A Celebrity back in 2014 was interpreted as ‘bullying’ by many viewers.

In a preview of the argument, Thomas snaps: ‘Are you taking the p**s?’ It looks like, yes, Bullard probably was ‘taking the p**s’, and perhaps the banter once again went a step too far.

Whatever the outcome of the row, Thomas has arguably endured more of an emotional beating than anyone else in the jungle and been tested like few others across any series of I’m A Celebrity, both physically and mentally. 

Yet when I think of this series – aside from Haye’s blatant sexism – what will stay with me is the wonderful energy of Thomas, with his bellowing laugh that brings me as much pure glee as cuddling a puppy.

Even in his most trying times, Thomas makes even living on rice, beans and digs from Haye look like a place I want to be.

I’m A Celebrity… South Africa may have ‘broken’ him at times, but I really hope it will make him a winner too.

I’m A Celebrity… South Africa continues tonight at 9pm on ITV.

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