Redknapp Calls Im A Celeb Bullying Row Banter

Harry Redknapp has dismissed the explosive row that overshadowed ... as harmless 'banter' after Friday's live final saw winner embroiled in a furious row with his former campmates. 

The show, a spin-off to long-running reality series I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, was plunged into chaos after Thomas engaged retired footballer Jimmy Bullard in an argument.  

The  accused Bullard of almost causing his elimination from the camp, reigniting a spat which began when the former Wigan Athletic midfielder refused to take on a Bushtucker Trial, putting both of their positions at risk because they were partnered up.

Playing down the volatile incident during an appearance on talkSPORT with Ally McCoist and Andy Townshend, fellow campmate Redknapp - who once managed Bullard at West Ham United - claimed it was only 'banter.' 

'I thought I'd gone to the wrong show,' he told the hosts. 'I thought it was The Show. I've never seen so much aggravation. 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.' 

I'm A Celebrity... South Africa hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly tried to during Friday's live show, which saw ex-boxer David Haye also clash with the Thomas, while Sinitta and TV personality Gemma Collins stormed off set.

Hours later another ITV show

Police were forced to arrest the woman and take her away in a police van. 

'David was, you know, he was in good form, David Haye,' a nonplussed Redknapp told talkSPORT on Monday morning. 

'But listen, we've been brought up in dressing rooms. You've been around football, you two guys, 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.'

The latest series of I'm A Celebrity... South Africa has been

Thomas had the opportunity to speak to Bullard on Friday, after allegedly when the footballer called 'I'm a Celebrity' in one of the trials, which left Adam in danger of going home.

The actor had previously revealed he was receiving therapy on his At Home With The Thomas Bros podcast, as he emotionally said his 'feud' with Haye 'f***ed' with him.

Breaking down in tears, he said: 'It was like being back in school again and although it wasn't physical bullying or anything like that, and I'm not saying it's bullying, but he was just mind f***ing me.

David Haye also clashed with the Waterloo Road actor, while Sinitta and TV personality Gemma Collins stormed off set