The glittering finale of "I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! South Africa 2026" was expected to be a crowning moment for the show’s finalists, but instead, it turned into one of the most dramatic and chaotic live broadcasts in the program’s history. On April 24, 2026, millions tuned in to witness not only the crowning of a new Jungle King or Queen, but also a cascade of heated confrontations, emotional walkouts, and revelations about the financial fortunes of the show’s stars. The final, filmed in September 2025 but airing live, was anything but predictable.
At the center of the storm stood four high-profile finalists: Adam Thomas, Harry Redknapp, Craig Charles, and Mo Farah. Each brought their own unique charisma—and, as it turns out, their own impressive bank balances—to the South African jungle. According to The Tab, Adam Thomas, best known for his TV roles in Waterloo Road and Emmerdale, holds a net worth of $1.6 million. Craig Charles, whose career stretches from acting and comedy to radio DJing and poetry, boasts $2.5 million. After retiring from a glittering athletics career in 2023 at the age of 40, Mo Farah entered the jungle with $5 million to his name, a sum built on his ten gold medals—four Olympic and six World Championship wins. Towering above them all, however, was Harry Redknapp, the legendary footballer and manager, whose fortune is estimated at a staggering $18 million.
Despite their wealth, none of the finalists were vying for a cash prize. Instead, the coveted wooden sceptre and flower crown awaited the winner—an honor that, for a moment, seemed almost beside the point as tempers flared and the show veered into chaos.
As reported by LADbible, the live final descended into turmoil when two campmates, Sinitta and Gemma Collins, stormed off the set during a fierce argument. The catalyst? A heated clash between Adam Thomas and former footballer Jimmy Bullard. Bullard, visibly upset, accused Thomas of "abusive, aggressive, and intimidating" behavior, telling hosts Ant and Dec, "They had front row seats" to the altercation. The confrontation, which included a barrage of expletives, was so intense that much of it was deemed "unbroadcastable" by ITV. Ant later clarified on air, "There was a lot of stuff that was said that was unbroadcastable which is why—we’ll get into all of this later in the show, you’ll all have a right to reply."
Bullard didn’t mince words as he addressed the issue with the hosts and his fellow campmates. "But what I don't stand on is some being abusive, aggressive, and intimidating," he stated, making it clear he felt targeted by Thomas’s outburst. The tension was palpable, with Bullard demanding that ITV "show it"—referring to the full, unedited argument between him and Thomas.
In the aftermath, Adam Thomas took ownership of his actions, expressing remorse and a desire to move forward. "I take full responsibility and have nothing but love for Jimmy," Thomas declared, attempting to quell the storm. Yet, the incident left a mark on the camp. Craig Charles, himself a finalist, described the bust-up as "traumatising," adding, "It looked like he was going to attack Jimmy, he was dropping f-bombs and c-bombs." David Haye, another campmate, corroborated this, claiming Thomas called Bullard the "C-word" multiple times during their clash.
The fallout from the argument was immediate. Sinitta and Gemma Collins, both known for their strong personalities, exited the set in protest, leaving viewers and fellow celebrities alike reeling. The show’s hosts, Ant and Dec, were left to manage the chaos, trying to steer the program back on course as emotions ran high. "They didn't show none of the C-bombs, it's a liberty," Bullard insisted, pressing the point that the true extent of the confrontation had been edited out for broadcast standards.
The incident wasn’t the first time the "I’m A Celebrity" franchise has seen fierce feuds and dramatic exits. In a nod to the program’s colorful history, LADbible recounted past memorable conflicts, from Janice Dickinson’s infamous spat with Lynne Franks in 2007—where Dickinson called her rival a "witch" and threatened to fry up her "big old boobs"—to the sharp-tongued exchanges between Kim Woodburn and Katie Price in 2009. The show has always thrived on strong personalities, but this year’s final raised the bar for live television drama.
Behind the spectacle, the finalists’ personal stories and achievements remained a focal point. Adam Thomas, despite his lowest net worth among the finalists, has carved a steady career in British television and now co-hosts a podcast with his famous brothers. Craig Charles, a fixture of British entertainment, continues to host The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show on BBC radio and DJs at festivals worldwide. Mo Farah’s legacy as one of the UK’s greatest athletes is secure, with his ten gold medals cementing his place in sports history. Harry Redknapp, the wealthiest of the group, has enjoyed a long and varied career in football, both as a player and as a manager for clubs such as Bournemouth, West Ham, Portsmouth, Southampton, Tottenham, and QPR.
Yet, as the dust settled on the 2026 South Africa final, it was clear that the show’s appeal goes beyond celebrity net worths or even the crowning of a winner. The volatile mix of personalities, the raw display of emotion, and the unpredictability of live television all combined to create a finale that will be remembered for years to come. The audience witnessed not just a contest for a jungle crown, but a revealing glimpse into the pressures and passions that simmer beneath the surface of reality TV fame.
While the winner’s name might soon fade from headlines, the events of April 24, 2026, have already secured their place in "I’m A Celebrity" lore. For fans and critics alike, this year’s finale was a reminder that, even after decades on air, the jungle can still surprise us all.