“I’ve never been to South Africa before and when they asked me if I’d like to take part, I thought ‘perfect, lets go’,” said David Haye, reflecting on his upcoming participation in the South Africa edition of I’m A Celebrity.
The former champion boxer, who is now 45 years old, is returning to the reality show where he previously finished in third place in 2012. Haye, known for his British heavyweight boxing career and nicknamed ‘The Hayemaker’, expressed enthusiasm about the new adventure, stating, “This time around, I felt a lot more – maybe I’m a bit older – but I seemed a lot more relaxed.”
Haye’s return to the jungle comes after a notable year in his personal life, where he was romantically involved with actress Helen Flanagan throughout 2023 before their split in December. Flanagan has since dismissed speculation regarding a ‘throuple’ involving herself, Haye, and Sian Osborne.
In his previous stint on the show, Haye entered the jungle on day one and was eliminated on day 20, gaining a unique perspective on the challenges of living in isolation with strangers. He remarked, “In the jungle, you don’t know what is going on in the outside world and your new world is in there with these random people you don’t know.”
Haye’s commitment to veganism, which he adopted in 2014, is also part of his lifestyle as he prepares for the show. He mentioned enjoying the connection with nature, saying, “I really enjoyed the connection with mother nature. Chuck a bunch of cockroaches or spiders over me, I am pretty sure I will be fine.”
As he gears up for this new chapter, fans are eager to see how Haye will navigate the challenges of the jungle once again. His previous experience and relaxed attitude may serve him well as he embarks on this adventure.