Former professional boxer David Haye expresses shock after an Instagram poll reveals that 87% of respondents disagree with his controversial ‘ugly bird theory’ about women.
The Controversial ‘Ugly Bird Theory’
During the pre-filmed second All Stars series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in South Africa last September, Haye sparked outrage among campmates and viewers. Sharing details about his relationship with model Sian Osborne, whom he has dated since 2020, Haye described her as ‘lovely’ but claimed she retains ‘the personality of a proper ugly bird.’ He attributed this to ‘ugly duckling syndrome,’ where women start out unattractive but grow prettier while keeping their early personalities.
Campmates including Beverley Callard, Harry Redknapp, Scarlett Moffatt, and Gemma Collins reacted strongly, labeling the remarks sexist and disgusting. Many viewers switched off in protest.
Instagram Poll Delivers Unexpected Results
Following Friday night’s dramatic final, Haye posted a poll on Instagram asking followers, ‘Am I right or am I wrong?’ Only 13% agreed with him, while 87% said he was incorrect.
In a video filmed from his car, Haye ranted about the outcome. ‘I did a poll yesterday, and I was very shocked at the results. Apparently, I’m wrong,’ he said. ‘Over 85% of people said I was incorrect. I wasn’t expecting that. I thought I was right.’
He defended his view on ‘pretty privilege,’ stating that exceptionally attractive women, like supermodels, generally have easier lives but may lack depth. ‘Girls who happened to win the human lottery and are tall, attractive to the masses, have it easier going through life,’ Haye explained. He sarcastically questioned why mentioning this triggers people, insisting such women must ‘bring something additional to the table.’
Backlash in Comments
Instagram users pushed back forcefully. One commented, ‘The fact that you don’t understand why you’re wrong is absolutely wild.’ Another demanded, ‘Stop talking about women’s looks for god sake!’ Others urged him to ‘get a life and move on’ or called him ‘vile,’ adding, ‘Your options are cruel & offensive. Until you are perfect then keep nasty comments to yourself! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.’
Osborne has publicly defended Haye’s remarks.
Drama Overshadows Final
The final also featured tension involving Haye and campmate Jimmy Bullard, who were reportedly removed after clashing with winner Adam Thomas. The dispute stemmed from Bullard’s early exit from a Bushtucker Trial, prompting Thomas to confront him aggressively.
During the live broadcast, Bullard accused Thomas of ‘abusive, aggressive, and intimidating’ behavior, including unbroadcastable expletives. Hosts Ant and Dec intervened, with Ant stating, ‘No, it wasn’t. I was there.’ Haye claimed the footage was edited to portray Thomas as a victim, but Dec retorted, ‘David, you weren’t even there!’
Thomas, who beat Sir Mo Farah to claim the Jungle Legend title, appeared upset as the feud overshadowed his victory. Sinitta even walked off stage amid the chaos.
