The live finale of I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! South Africa 2026 turned into one of the most turbulent endings in the show's history as celebrations quickly gave way to confrontation, walkouts, and emotional breakdowns.
While Adam Thomas was officially crowned the winner after topping the public vote, the night was defined less by victory and more by rising tensions among contestants who reignited long-standing disputes on live television.
What was expected to be a celebratory conclusion instead unfolded as a chaotic broadcast, forcing the presenters and production team to intervene multiple times to control the situation.
I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Winner & Prize Money
Adam Thomas emerged as the winner of the 2026 South Africa edition after securing the highest number of public votes, marking a major career highlight for the actor best known for Emmerdale and Waterloo Road.
Thomas was crowned during a live segment in front of the studio audience and fellow campmates. Olympic champion Mo Farah finished as runner-up after a strong and consistent run in camp, while Harry Redknapp claimed third place, and Craig Charles followed closely behind.
Industry reports noted that Thomas also received a £100,000 charity prize as part of his win, continuing the show's tradition of rewarding charitable contributions alongside public voting success.
Who is Adam Thomas?
Adam Thomas is a British actor and television personality best known for his long-running role in the soap opera Emmerdale, where he played Adam Barton. He later gained further popularity through his role in the BBC school drama Waterloo Road, where he built a strong fan base among younger viewers.
Born in Salford, England, Thomas comes from a well-known entertainment family, with his brother Ryan Thomas also being a recognised actor from Coronation Street. Over the years, Adam has transitioned between acting and reality television, often appearing in lifestyle and competition-based shows that showcase his personality beyond scripted roles.
I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! On-Stage Drama
The finale descended into chaos when a long-standing disagreement between Jimmy Bullard and Adam Thomas reignited on stage. The conflict originally stemmed from a Bushtucker Trial incident earlier in the series, where Bullard's decision to quit a challenge reportedly placed Thomas at risk of elimination.
During the live show, both contestants revisited the issue with heightened emotions, leading to a heated exchange in front of the audience. Thomas openly criticised Bullard's earlier decision-making, while Bullard defended his actions and questioned the portrayal of events during editing.
Tensions escalated further when David Haye entered the conversation, intensifying the disagreement and shifting the tone of the broadcast from celebration to confrontation. The atmosphere became increasingly unstable as multiple voices overlapped, forcing presenters to pause segments and attempt to restore order.
I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Final
The final segment of the show attempted to balance emotional reflections with live results, but the structure repeatedly broke down due to ongoing disputes.
Mo Farah addressed viewers warmly, describing his journey as "amazing" and reflecting positively on his time in camp. Harry Redknapp also shared a calm and reflective message, focusing on friendships formed during the series and the challenges of jungle life.
However, these moments of positivity were frequently interrupted by off-camera tensions spilling into the live environment. Several contestants appeared visibly unsettled, with some reacting to comments made during post-filming discussions that reignited unresolved conflicts.
I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Walkouts & Host Intervention
One of the most dramatic moments of the night occurred when Sinitta and Gemma Collins walked off the stage during the escalating argument. Their exit shocked the live audience and added to the already unstable atmosphere.
The situation forced hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly to intervene directly. Both presenters raised their voices at points, stepping outside their usual light-hearted tone to regain control of the broadcast and prevent further escalation.
Production staff were also seen coordinating behind the scenes as the live segment struggled to stay on track. The intervention eventually helped stabilise the show, but the disruption had already become one of the defining talking points of the finale.
I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Other Finalists
Beyond the central controversy, the remaining finalists delivered reflective and emotional summaries of their journeys.
Mo Farah's runner-up finish was widely praised by viewers, with many noting his consistent positivity throughout the competition. Harry Redknapp maintained his reputation for humour and calmness, while Craig Charles focused on expressing gratitude for the experience and the friendships he built in camp.
Despite the surrounding chaos, each finalist briefly contributed to restoring a sense of closure, even as tensions continued to simmer among eliminated campmates in the studio.
I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Key Moments
The 2026 season was marked by several controversies that culminated in the explosive finale. Reports throughout the series suggested that multiple arguments were either heavily edited or left unaired due to their intensity.
One particularly notable moment came when claims emerged regarding the severity of off-camera disputes between contestants. In reference to one of the most talked-about incidents, it was stated:
"It was unbroadcastable as it was. It was deeply traumatic and it was really upsetting. Adam was so wound up. He was so aggressive. It looked like he was going to attack Jimmy."
I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Filming Timeline and Format Twist
Although the finale aired live in 2026, the series itself was filmed months earlier in South Africa, with contestants completing their jungle experience in late 2025.
The winner was ultimately decided through public voting during the live broadcast, combining pre-recorded survival content with real-time audience participation.
This hybrid format has been praised for maintaining suspense but also criticised for amplifying unresolved tensions when contestants reunite in a live environment after filming has ended.
The structure meant that emotional conflicts, already settled or suppressed during filming, resurfaced suddenly under live television pressure, contributing to the disorder seen during the finale.
Final Takeaway from the 2026 South Africa Finale
The 2026 finale of I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! South Africa will be remembered less for its winner and more for its chaos. While Adam Thomas secured the crown after a strong public vote, the live broadcast exposed deep tensions, unresolved conflicts, and emotional breakdowns among contestants.
The combination of walkouts, heated arguments, and presenter intervention transformed what should have been a celebratory ending into one of the most dramatic finales in the show's history. As the series closes, it raises fresh questions about reality TV pressure, editing transparency, and the impact of live reunion formats on already strained relationships.