Adam Thomas’ hugely public I’m A Celebrity fallout saw the actor largely praised by brother Ryan Thomas and the chaos is said to have brought the clan closer together
Adam Thomas’s fiery bust-ups on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! South Africa left viewers gobsmacked, but the fallout has brought his brother Ryan and fiancée Lucy Mecklenburgh closer together.
Waterloo Road star Adam, 37, was crowned Jungle Legend in the all-stars series during a chaotic live final, but his time on the show was overshadowed by an alleged bullying row with former boxer David Haye, and an even bigger fight with ex-footballer Jimmy Bullard. While Adam was left reeling after his experiences, we’re told the upset has helped strengthen the relationship between Ryan, 41, and Lucy, 34.
“Ryan and Lucy have really got closer through this,” a source told new. “She’s realised how much she cares for Ryan, and seeing the trauma has reminded them both of what he went through in Celebrity Big Brother. There are some very heightened emotions right now.”
Ex-Towie star Lucy and former Coronation Street actor Ryan were recently reported to have delayed their wedding plans seven years after getting engaged, but they were united in horror over Adam’s suffering.
“They’re very upset because they feel what happened ruined his finest moment,” the source said. “They’re a very protective family, and Ryan and Lucy are livid with David and Jimmy. They thought it was real bullying – and they know Adam isn’t a softie. He’s not ultra-sensitive, so they knew it was bad.”
The situation struck a chord as Ryan also went through the mill while taking part in CBB in 2018. Although he eventually won the series, his time in the house was dominated by accusations by fellow contestant Roxanne Pallett, 43, who claimed he deliberately punched her during a play-fight. She later apologised and admitted she “got it wrong”, but Ryan broke down in tears over the claims at the time. “This brought back what happened to Ryan because it was another miscarriage of justice,” the source said.
“Ryan is so supportive because he knows exactly what Adam’s been through. He’s had people judge and point the finger, too. So there’s a lot of support and a lot of love.
“Lucy is supporting Ryan because it has been quite traumatic, and she’s just there and listening. The brothers are so close, and if someone hurts one of them, they all feel it. Ryan and Lucy are feeling closer than ever as a couple, and as a family.”
Writing on Instagram, Ryan defended his younger brother, saying, “It’s hard to put into words what you mean to me bro. You’ve always been more than a brother… you’ve been my backbone, my reality check, and the person who always champions me & everyone else around you.”
He urged Adam to stay true to his feelings and added, “I look up to you in so many ways, sometimes I wish I was more like you. You’re not just my little brother… you’re my best friend & I’d be lost without you.”
In the jungle, former Emmerdale star Adam was called “useless” and “lazy” by David, 45, for his reluctance to take part in some challenges – despite feeling unwell with an autoimmune condition. David said he lacked the “mental strength” for group trials, which left Adam fuming. At one point, Adam told him, “I don’t understand why you keep coming for me 24/7.”
David dismissed it as “banter” but Adam later said it “broke” him. On the At Home With The Thomas Bro’s podcast, he told his siblings Ryan and Scott, 37, “Everything he was saying to me was personal and it just got to a point where it crossed the line.”
An even more ferocious bust-up with Jimmy, 47, broke out after Jimmy refused to take part in a trial, telling presenters Ant and Dec he wasn’t “feeling it”. It put both their places at risk, leading a furious Adam to confront Jimmy and, as the trial was halted, Adam stormed off set in tears. He was seen sobbing to campmate Scarlett Moffatt that he wanted to remain on the show for the sake of his young children, Teddy and Elsie-Rose.
As the series aired eight months after filming, Adam admitted on Instagram, “My time in I’m A Celebrity South Africa was one of the toughest things I’ve ever been through, physically, mentally and emotionally. Watching it back hasn’t been easy at all. There were moments I felt pushed to my absolute limit, and if I’m honest, times I didn’t even recognise myself.”
During the live final, tensions boiled over again as celebs including Sinitta, 62, and Gemma Collins, 45, walked out. After being crowned winner, Adam chose to skip the argument-filled spin-off, Unpacked. Instead, he thanked viewers on social media, insisting he wouldn’t let anyone dim his shine.
As the fallout rumbled on, his wife Caroline said on Instagram, “Our Legend, Our King. What should have been a night of celebration for everyone turned into a glimpse of a real jungle, watching a pack of vultures attack!” Meanwhile, Gemma branded the behaviour “vile”, and Gogglebox star Scarlett, 35, fought back tears as she accused her fellow campmates of “ruining” Adam’s big moment.
Although those closest to Adam hope he can put it behind him, the scars will no doubt linger. “It has been stressful for the family because they didn’t know how he would be portrayed or how the public were going to take it all,” our source said. “They are just so thankful for everyone’s support.”
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