David Haye’s sexist comments on I’m A Celebrity spark backlash
Former boxer David Haye has ignited controversy with sexist remarks made during an episode of I’m A Celebrity… South Africa, leading to significant backlash from fellow contestants and viewers, reports BritPanorama.
During a campfire conversation, Haye described the personality of his girlfriend in derogatory terms, stating, “She’s got the personality of a proper ugly bird.” His comments escalated as he implied that women deemed unattractive must rely more on their personality to compensate for their looks, while suggesting that attractive women lack depth. This statement drew immediate condemnation from other campmates.
Television personality Scarlett Moffatt was quick to respond, saying, “You can’t say that David,” while Beverley Callard dismissed his remarks as “complete claptrap.” Fellow contestant Ashley Roberts mirrored the surprise felt by many viewers, underscoring the prevailing discomfort with Haye’s assertions. This incident is not isolated; previously, Haye has made other insensitive comments regarding women on the show.
Concerns linger about Haye’s previous decisions, where he opted for male teammates over female ones based on assumptions about physical and mental strength, prompting the exclusion of 69-year-old Callard from basic camp conditions. Furthermore, his reaction to a comment from Gemma Collins about her hair displayed a dismissive attitude toward her concerns, suggesting a pattern of disrespectful behaviour towards women in the camp.
Unlike the annual version of the show, this series is pre-recorded, which limits the possibility for ITV to respond to the unfolding outrage in real-time. Reportedly, production did not address Haye’s behaviour during filming, reflecting a troubling lack of intervention.
Editing choices have also raised eyebrows, as ITV seems to have downplayed Haye’s comments. Despite the backlash, segments depicting him helping Collins have been inserted to paint him as a gentleman, while hosts Ant and Dec treated the remarks with amusement, framing them as mere banter.
Haye’s remarks occur within a larger context of ongoing misogyny, which is manifesting increasingly in public discourse. With reports indicating a rise in sexist attitudes, including disturbing beliefs among younger generations regarding gender roles, Haye’s comments risk normalising such views and contributing to a culture of casual misogyny.
Viewers of I’m A Celeb expect entertainment without derogatory remarks, yet the presence of such comments on a prime-time platform raises critical questions about the messages being conveyed. The pervasive nature of disrespect towards women in media underscores the need for greater accountability in how such narratives are presented.
