Sinitta has insisted she is not a bully in a lengthy statement following Friday night’s explosive I’m A Celebrity…South Africa finale.
The two-part live event on ITV descended into shouty chaos shortly before Adam Thomas, 37, was crowned the so-called Ultimate Legend of the all-stars show.
The drama all played out on stage in the London studio, revolving around an argument between Thomas and footballer Jimmy Bullard, shortly before he left the jungle.
Host Ant McPartlin admitted the spat couldn’t be aired in its entirety as it was ‘unbroadcastable’, after rumours the argument had included the c-word had swirled among the other campmates.
One such campmate was Sinitta, who stood up during the final and told the audience that the fight in South Africa had left her uncomfortable. She then walked off stage, with Gemma Collins following her.
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The 62-year-old has now shared a statement reflecting on the experience filming last autumn, in which she said she is happy that the Waterloo Road star won.
In a lengthy post to Instagram, she said she ‘really wishes’ everyone could have spoken at the finale, rather than the ‘hectic’ way it unfolded.
She wrote: ‘Before I walked out, all I wanted to say was this: I hate that people are being called bullies and that there’s bad blood between us. I had a wonderful time with everyone, despite one difficult incident, and I truly hope we can hold on to the life lessons and the incredible experience we shared together. I adore them all.’
She continued: ‘I also feel that the word “bully” is a very serious accusation. It’s something I don’t believe should be used lightly. There are too many truly bad people in the world already, and it’s dangerous to label good people in that way.
‘Adam apologised, and I thought that was a very grown-up thing to do. I also believe friendships and banter can sometimes be misunderstood when viewed from the outside. I simply ask people to try and see both sides.
‘I also want to say clearly: I am not a bully either.’
Sinitta went on to say she had received ‘a lot’ of abuse on social media, noting she would not treat others like that.
She continued: ‘When I first started in this business, there wasn’t social media like this so this side of things has been unexpected for me.
‘You can call me talentless, ugly, desperate, past it, irrelevant… but those things are not true and ironically, that behaviour is also bullying.’
Concluding the post, she wrote: ‘I still love everyone. And I truly appreciate your passion and loyalty. The experience is finished now. We all survived the African jungle and the trials, and we have a new King Adam Thomas. I wish him well. I always have.’
I’m A Celebrity…South Africa is available to watch on ITVX.
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