I’M A Celebrity is braced for legal action after Jimmy Bullard “monopolised” the all-stars final to gather evidence, sources say.
The former footballer, 47, has accused ITV of not showing a fair representation of his row with Adam Thomas in South Africa — claiming they edited it to protect the actor.
In Friday night’s explosive live final, Jimmy said nine times that Adam’s conduct was “abusive, aggressive and intimidating” — a key phrase from the cast’s contract concerning unacceptable behaviour.
The ex-Wigan and Hull player, who has sought legal advice, also asked campmates including Craig Charles, Harry Redknapp and Sinitta to back him.
A source said: “Proving that Adam’s behaviour was abusive, aggressive and intimidating is the key to Jimmy’s legal case against ITV because that behaviour is in breach of the contract.
“Jimmy didn’t only repeat that phrase, he also built up on-air evidence of other campmates agreeing that Adam crossed that line.
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“At one point he had his phone out to check notes but no one is sure whether he was also recording chatter between the cast. Insiders say it’s clear from his conduct that a case is being built and that the channel is braced for it after the way he monopolised his moment.”
Hosts Ant and Dec had invited Jimmy to explain why he decided to exit a trial, which could have led to Adam’s elimination.
Jimmy said: “Adam and all of you can be upset with me. And I absolutely threw him under the bus, I get it, I’ll wear that. But what I don’t stand for is someone being abusive, aggressive and intimidating. You didn’t show none of the C-bombs, that’s a liberty!”
He also pointed at campmates, saying: “Listen, let’s ask everyone.”
He then asked repeatedly: “Was it abusive and aggressive?”
Sinitta eventually stood up and said to the baying audience: “Enough, enough, I was there and it was aggressive and abusive.”
Ant claimed that the foul language had been “unbroadcastable”, and said he did not believe Adam had acted in an intimidating way.
Adam won after a public vote, but The Sun revealed he later threw his crown to the ground.
Jimmy and David Haye were also removed from the studio.
Programme makers ITV Studios are already facing legal action for the first all-stars’ series, after US model Janice Dickinson said she was left disfigured in a fall.
An ITV spokesman said of the latest series: “We showed an accurate and fair representation of events.”
Jimmy’s representative was contacted for comment.
