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Adam Thomas scores secret second win over Jimmy Bullard and David Haye after live final clash

Dan Cain , Assistant Showbiz Editor (Features)

ADAM Thomas has another reason to celebrate after trouncing his I’m A Celeb rivals in the social media stakes after a chaotic live final.

The actor, 37, saw his crowning moment on Friday night overshadowed by a heated row involving his rivals David Haye and Jimmy Bullard, before the result was announced.

Adam Thomas, the "I'm A Celebrity Legend," sitting on a wooden throne-like chair decorated with green vines, holding a star-topped staff and a floral wreath.
Adam Thomas has landed another I’m A Celebrity victoryCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
 

Gemma Collins, Jimmy Bullard, Scarlett Moffatt, Ashley Roberts, Adam Thomas, David Haye, and Harry Redknapp in the 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! South Africa' series 2 live final.
Jimmy Bullard caused mayhem in Friday’s live finalCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
He’s since dusted himself down and been supported by his family, and now he can take solace in that he’s won a second popularity contest in a matter of days.

This time, social data analysed by Cupid PR has found he gained more followers than any other contestant during the course of the show.

His numbers rose by a huge 125,549 followers in just 14 days, and he saw the largest single-day spike with a total of 45,735 new followers on Saturday.

Gemma Collins was second with 89,330 new followers overall, while Beverley Callard was third with 61,206 — an impressive feat given she missed the final due to health reasons.

Jimmy Bullard reacting on "I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! South Africa".
He accused Adam of being ‘intimidating’ in unaired scenesCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
 

David Haye, Sinitta, and Ashley Roberts at the live final of "I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! South Africa"
David Haye heckled Adam from audienceCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Jimmy was down in seventh, picking up just 6,810 new followers, while retired boxer David added 2,467.

Surprisingly, runner-up Sir Mo Farah propped up the leaderboard with just 214 new followers.

The big final bust-up came as ex-footballer Jimmy accused Adam of being “aggressive and intimidating” in scenes that never made it to air.

The pair had a huge falling out after they were paired together for a trial in which Jimmy quit, putting both their places on the show at risk.

Adam was seen in the episode swearing and storming towards Jimmy, who called him “pathetic”.

But apparently there was much more to the row than we saw on TV.

Jimmy was riled when host Ant McPartlin insisted Adam wasn’t intimidating, leading him to grill his campmates for their thoughts.

He was backed by David, who was accused of bullying Adam on the show.

Internet sleuths think there is more than meets the eye and claim Adam is being protected due to a little-known link to ITV‘s boss Kevin Lygo.

Adam’s agent is Madison Lygo, who works for M&C Saatchi Talent and is the daughter of ITV’s director of television, Kevin Lygo.

One viewer wrote on Reddit: “I can understand now why Adam may have got a better edit and most of the camp are agreeing with Jimmy’s points.

“However, it still doesn’t justify the way David and Jimmy have handled the whole thing, particularly their behaviour at the final.

“Plus, Jimmy chose to leave and throw Adam under the bus!!! As sports people, they know that life isn’t fair, they should have taken their earnings and gone quietly! It was a lose lose situation.”

Jimmy demanded the unaired scenes were played in the final but the footage remains on the cutting room floor.