Jimmy Bullard’s pay fury as ITV set to strip wages over I’m A Celeb feud
The final of the ITV show was almost derailed after an explosive row.
I’m A Celeb bosses are reportedly threatening to slash Jimmy Bullard’s appearance fee if he refuses to attend the final of the South Africa series. The former footballer is said to be planning to skip the finale on April 24, following a blazing row with Adam Thomas that is set to air on screen tonight.
In deeply uncomfortable scenes, the two men were seen descending into a foul-mouthed confrontation as Jimmy bellowed the infamous line: “I’m a celebrity… get me out of here.” The altercation also saw Adam charge towards his co-star and yell: “Are you f***ing taking the p*ss? Are you taking the p*ss?” as their positions in the show hung in the balance. Jimmy branded his co-star “pathetic” for his reaction. A source reportedly told the Sun that the bust-up had led to a “sad turn of events”. They added: “It’s so bad, in fact, that Jimmy says there’s no way he’ll be turning up on Friday, which means he won’t be paid his full show fee. Jimmy snubbed going to the All Stars press launch last month so everyone knows he’s serious.” They suggested his fee could be docked by 20% should he fail to show up.
The insider further revealed that Jimmy is “adamant” that he and Adam cannot reconcile their differences and that he is prepared to face the financial repercussions of missing the final. Express.co.uk have contacted ITV for comment.
In scenes from Tuesday’s (April 21) episode, which first appeared in a preview of the programme, Jimmy selected Adam as his partner in a Bushtucker Trial where Adam would loosen cogs with his tongue while Jimmy ran to place them in a box. However, Jimmy failed to move.
Despite encouragement from Ant and Dec, Jimmy remained rooted to the spot. “Boys, I don’t think I’ve got it in me,” Jimmy complained. Adam urged Jimmy to get stuck in, but the sports pundit declared: “I’m a celebrity, get me out of here.”
A disbelieving Adam shot back: “You’re joking me bro. Jim don’t do this bro, come on!” In a fit of rage, he kicked the wall and forced himself out of his cage.
Marching directly towards Jimmy, Adam raged: “Are you f***ing taking the p*ss? Are you taking the p*ss?”
Jimmy hit back defensively, telling Adam to mind his language. “Woah, woah, woah, don’t say that. What’s up with you? Everyone’s got their own story.”
Adam remained unimpressed, however, retorting: “I’m in there getting covered with f***ing ants.” As the remaining campmates watched on in shock, Jimmy told him: “Calm down, that’s pathetic.”
ITV hinted that the duo’s falling-out would compel their fellow campmates to “make an important decision, which affects one person’s fate in camp”. Eight months on from the falling out, Jimmy and Adam are reportedly still not on speaking terms.
According to The Sun, Bullard is threatening to boycott the show’s final, though fellow campmate Craig Charles contradicted this on Good Morning Britain, claiming Jimmy had told him he would indeed be attending.
