Harry Redknapp compares I’m A Celeb to Jeremy Kyle but shockingly defends David Haye

Harry Redknapp has compared his time in the jungle for I’m A Celebrity South Africa to an episode of Jeremy Klye – But shockingly backed David Haye and defended his banter

Harry Redknapp has likened his experience in the jungle for I’m A Celebrity South Africa to a storyline in Jeremy Kyle. The former footballer manager insists campmates took it “too far” but defended David Haye against bullying accusations and claimed it was “banter”.

During his first interview since the explosive final aired, Talk Sport’s Andy Townsend and Ally McCoist asked Harry if he was “thrilled” that I’m A Celeb is “all over”.

The 79-year-old star laughed and replied: “I thought I’d gone to the wrong show.

“I thought it was The Jeremy Kyle Show. I’ve never seen so much aggravation!”

Referencing the final, which saw Gemma Collins and Sinitta storm off stage after Jimmy Bullard and David Haye repeatedly goaded winner Adam Thomas, Harry said: “I thought I’m in the wrong studio here. All the crowd is shouting and things.

“Oh, it was a nightmare. I thought, you know, I’m not a celebrity… get me out of here. That’s what I was going to say!”

However, Harry defended David who was accused of bullying Adam during their time in the jungle, as well as branded ‘sexist’ for comments he made regarding his partner Sian Osbourne.

He insisted that the boxing champ, 45, was engaging in ‘banter’ and suggested that perhaps those who are not from the sporting world didn’t understand his teasing.

The footy star added: “David was, you know, he was in good form, David Haye.

“But listen, Andy, we’ve been brought up in dressing rooms.

“You’ve been around football, you two guys, Andy, you know, all your life.

“Banter – This wasn’t strong banter compared to what you’ve had in dressing rooms over the years.

“You just get on with it, don’t you?

“It all got out of hand. You know, people couldn’t take a bit of banter and it became a big issue.”

Adam, 37, has spoken about his experience on the ITV show and revealed he’s seeing a therapist to work through it all.

He said: “I’m not the same person, like I know for a fact I am not the same person as I was when I went into the jungle to when I came out.

“It’s changed me and that’s no over-exaggeration.

“I’m in therapy now because, like it’s f***** with me mentally because I just thought, ‘How is this happening? I’m a 37-year-old man’.

“I’m like, ‘How am I letting some other person do this to me in here?'”

Adam admitted he wishes he “stuck up” for himself more in South Africa.

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