Jimmy Bullard quit I’m A Celebrity: South Africa during a Bushtucker trial with Adam Thomas, triggering a heated argument that left the actor in tears and drew fan criticism of fellow campmate Harry Redknapp.
Bullard, a former footballer, told hosts Ant and Dec he “just don’t have it in me” before walking away from the challenge, despite Thomas throwing himself into the task. The incident occurred during Tuesday’s episode aired April 21, 2026, when the pair were partnered to collect cogs from an abacus and hand them to each other, with the losing duo facing eviction.
Thomas reacted angrily, shouting “You’re taking the p***!” and accusing Bullard of jeopardizing both their places in the competition. Bullard later apologised but declared “I’m a celebrity, get me out of here,” ending the trial for all contestants and forcing everyone to forfeit stars earned.
Despite Bullard’s exit, Ant and Dec asked the remaining campmates whether Thomas should stay, and they unanimously voted to keep him in. Overwhelmed by the support, Thomas broke down in tears, saying he appreciated the gesture and regretted his outburst, adding that emotions were “really running high.”
Bullard explained his decision to leave stemmed from wanting to be with his parents, particularly his unwell father, and admitted he struggled with the show’s intensity. He said he had “lost David Haye, Gemma Collins” as his usual sources of motivation and felt his “time was up in the game.”
The fallout extended beyond the duo, with viewers criticizing Harry Redknapp for his response to the argument. Fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to say Redknapp “showed his true colours” by not defending Adam, with one commenting he and Sinita “never went to Adam to see if he’s okay” while others checked on him.
Redknapp had earlier stated in the bush telegraph that Thomas “didn’t get a fair crack of the whip” but later told campmates he thought Thomas’s behaviour “was not great,” a stance that drew backlash for appearing to side with Bullard despite acknowledging Thomas’s frustration.
Nearly eight months after filming, Bullard and Thomas are reportedly not on speaking terms. Bullard described the incident as a “kerfuffle” and said letting Thomas down “was a killer,” noting they had shared “the craic” since day one and that Thomas “wants to win it” while he was on a “different journey.”
The incident unfolded ahead of the series finale on Friday, when the public will vote to crown the “ultimate legend 2026.” I’m A Celebrity… South Africa airs at 9pm on weeknights on ITV1, STV, ITVX and STV Player.
Why did Jimmy Bullard quit during the trial with Adam Thomas?
Bullard said he quit because he was struggling with the show’s difficulty, wanted to be with his parents — especially his unwell father — and felt his time in the competition had run out, citing a lack of his usual motivational “bounces” like David Haye and Gemma Collins.
How did the campmates respond after Jimmy Bullard walked out?
After Bullard’s exit, Ant and Dec asked the remaining campmates if Adam Thomas should stay despite nearly being evicted, and they unanimously voted to keep him in, prompting Thomas to break down in tears of gratitude.
What criticism did Harry Redknapp face from viewers after the argument?
Viewers criticized Harry Redknapp for not defending Adam Thomas during the fallout, with some saying he and Sinita showed their “true colours” by failing to check on Thomas while others went to support him, and others felt his later comments undermined Thomas’s justified frustration.
