Sad reason I’m A Celebrity South Africa’s David Haye retired from boxing, ‘throuple’ rumours and assault accusation
He's rubbing a lot of people up the wrong way so far during his second jungle journey…David Haye has returned to our screens for the new I’m A Celebrity South Africa – but who is the man behind the boxing champion? And what’s the latest on his throuple as his love life becomes the talk of camp?
As well as David, fans saw famous faces such as Ashley Roberts, Seann Walsh and Gemma Collins return to ITV screens as part of the line-up. Harry Redknapp is also on the line-up, but he’ll arrive as a latecomer on Monday night (April 13).
But what do we know about David and when was he first on I’m A Celebrity? Here’s everything you need to know, from the reason he had to call it quits on his boxing career to his reported ‘throuple’.
I’m A Celebrity star David ‘The Haymaker’ Haye’s boxing career
David, 45, is best known for his boxing career that ran from 2002 to 2018. And over the years, he has won countless matches, and held the WBA heavyweight title from 2009 to 2011.
David is also one of only three boxers in history to have unified the cruiserweight world titles and become a world heavyweight champion. His career highlights include stopping Jean-Marc Mormeck in 2007, defeating 7-foot giant Nikolay Valuev in 2009 for the WBA title, and a high-profile win over Dereck Chisora.
Despite all that, in September 2021, BoxRec only ranked David as the 100th greatest British fighter of all time.
David also turned to TV and created his own Sky One documentary reality show, David Haye Versus. The show aired in 2011 and saw David train and talk to celebs like Ricky Gervais, Justin Bieber, Michael McIntyre and Mickey Rourke.
What are the assault allegations against David Haye?
David’s career has been hit by significant controversy over the years. In 2021, he was accused of attacking a man, Nickesh Jhala, during the interval at a comedy gig at the Hammersmith Apollo in west London. David strenuously denied the claims.
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A year later, prosecutor Jonathan Bryan said at Westminster Magistrates’ Court: “It seems that Mr Haye believed that some of the people sitting behind him were saying derogatory remarks about him and his partner.
“We saw Mr Haye put his hands around Mr Jhala’s throat and threatened him, saying things to the effect that if Mr Jhala said anything more, he would kill him.”
As BBC reports, the prosecutor went on to say that Mr Jhala was not hurt by the incident, but “shaken”. They added: “The security were aware of what happened, but nothing was done about it.”
James Scobie KC, defending, said that David did not threaten to kill him. He shared: “Our unequivocal case is ‘hand on shoulder’, at most, and no threats to kill, ever.”
However, David was eventually cleared of assault. A judge ruled he had no case to answer, after seeing CCTV footage. David said he was “very pleased” and “very happy” with the result.
Why did David Haye retire?
In 2028, David called time on his boxing career and announced his retirement aged 37.
“They say you can’t play boxing. As I reviewed my life and physicality it’s not what it needs to be to compete on the world level as a heavyweight or cruiserweight,” he said on social media at the time.
He added: “The boxing gods will no longer bless me with that freakish power and speed I’ve had since a kid. It’s gone now and it’s time to bow out of the game. I’m happy and healthy and my family are financially secure, so it’s job well done.”
Meanwhile, writing in the Mirror at the time, David also opened up about how the injuries he suffered during his boxing career played a part in his decision about retiring.
He said: “The past five years I have snapped (fully ruptured) both biceps, my rotator cuff and my Achilles tendon. All four injuries were potentially career-ending and each of them required operations with months of intense rehabilitation. The biggest physical challenge I had to face, however, was a spinal surgery in March 2015.”
What is David Haye’s net worth? How rich is he?
Boxer David Haye is reported to be worth a stonking £17.5m.
I’m A Celebrity star David Haye’s ex wife
David was previously married to makeup artist Natasha. The pair tied the knot in 2008 and share a son named Cassius.
In 2016, though, it was announced that the pair had split, with Natasha filing for divorce on grounds of unreasonable behaviour, as Digital Spy reports.
The publication also claims that the pair were granted a ‘quickie divorce’ in just 30 seconds at the hearing, which neither David nor Natasha attended.
Who is David Haye’s girlfriend? Who was he in a throuple with?
David is believed to be in an open relationship with girlfriend Sian Osborne, who he started dating back in 2020. And, over the years, he has reportedly been embroiled in several different ‘throuples’, usually with fellow famous faces.
“I let people in through my social media a little bit. But what I do behind closed doors is between me and the girls involved,” he said at Pro Boxing Fans in 2023. David added: “So yeah, I don’t really want to go into all that.”
In 2023, David shared a photo on holiday alongside Sian and The Saturday’s singer Una Healy, sparking rumours she had joined the couple’s ‘throuple’ relationship.
However, addressing the reports for the first time, Una set the record straight. She said on the My Therapist Ghosted Me podcast: “Dating him is the right term, because that’s how it was. It wasn’t a throuple. I met him last summer, online, on a dating app.”
Revealing she had a non-exclusive relationship with the boxer, Una added: “He doesn’t label. He’s never called her [Sian] his girlfriend, he’s open, polyamorous. So I did meet her and she was a really nice girl but there was nothing going on there so it wasn’t a throuple. I wasn’t romantic with her, I don’t really know her.”
Is Helen Flanagan with David Haye?
David formed a short-lived romance with Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan in 2023. The pair first met on I’m A Celebrity… in 2012.
In her autobiography, Head and Heart, Helen revealed she was aware that David and girlfriend Sian were known for forming throuples.
Despite going on to date David, she wrote in her book: “I’m not a prude. But I’ve never been into that – it was David I liked.”
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Helen shut down speculation that she was involved in a throuple situation. She insisted the “relationship that I had with David was just David on his own”.
When asked directly if she was involved with other women, she bluntly stated: “No, no, no, not at all. My evenings were just spent with him, that’s what only ever happened.”
When was David originally on I’m A Celebrity?
David appeared on the 12th series of I’m A Celebrity in 2012, finishing in third place. That series was won by former EastEnders actress Charlie Brooks.
Talking about joining the 2026 I’m A Celebrity South Africa cast, which includes Gemma Collins and Scarlett Moffatt, David: “I’ve never been to South Africa before and when they asked me if I’d like to take part, I thought perfect, let’s go. It’s also half the distance to get there compared to Australia.
“I had a good time in Australia and I was the last man standing. Ashley Roberts and Charlie Brooks pipped me to it! But I got bronze and I was on the podium!”
Let’s see how Ashley and David do when they’re reunited this time around…
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What can we expect from David Haye on I’m A Celebrity?
Plenty of beef, and we’re not just talking about his muscles! David didn’t really do himself any favours in the opening episode of I’m A Celebrity South Africa. He sent Beverley Callard, 69, to Savannah Scrub, and urged team leader Ashley Roberts to pick “strapping man” Seann Walsh for their team over Sinitta, 62. His behaviour was blasted as being misogynistic by viewers.
One commented: “David is very lucky it’s not public vote because he’d be gone first. Out to make enemies with everyone and it’s not a good look!” “Hope he gets his [bleep] handed to him on a plate!” another added. Ouch!
Episode two saw David struggle to light a campfire, with Sir Mo Farah having to step in. As a result, some viewers spotted the sparks of a feud between the two, cemented in David’s apparent desire to be the ‘alpha male’.
Thursday night (April 9) saw the two camps merge. Beverley went straight to David and called him out for sending her to Savannah Scrub. Gemma also gave him a telling off for not wanting her to be allowed a drink of water during her foul eating trial.
A flash-forward at the end of the episode also teased more drama to come…
Read more: Adam Thomas snubbed by ITV after ‘explosive’ unaired row with I’m A Celebrity co-star
