David Haye returned to our screens for I’m A Celebrity South Africa last week (April 6). But there’s far more to the former world champion than his time in the jungle and his throuple!
From his glittering boxing career to his controversial headlines, high-profile relationships and huge fortune, David has rarely been far from the spotlight.
As he returns to ITV alongside familiar faces including Ashley Roberts, Seann Walsh, Gemma Collins and Harry Redknapp, here’s everything you need to know about the man known as ‘The Haymaker’.
I’m A Celebrity star David Haye’s boxing career
David Haye, 45, is widely regarded as one of Britain’s most successful boxers.
His professional career spanned from 2002 to 2018, during which he became a unified cruiserweight world champion before moving up to heavyweight and winning the WBA title from 2009 to 2011.
That achievement alone puts him in an elite category. David is one of only a handful of fighters in history to unify the cruiserweight division and go on to become a heavyweight world champion.
Some of his most memorable fights include his 2007 victory over Jean-Marc Mormeck, which saw him unify the cruiserweight titles, and his famous 2009 win against 7ft giant Nikolay Valuev to claim the WBA heavyweight belt.
He also secured a headline-grabbing win over fellow Brit Dereck Chisora in 2012.
Outside the ring, David expanded his profile with TV work, including his Sky One series David Haye Versus, where he trained and interviewed celebrities including Ricky Gervais, Justin Bieber and Michael McIntyre.
Despite his achievements, rankings have sometimes been debated. In 2021, BoxRec listed him as the 100th greatest British fighter of all time – a position that sparked discussion among boxing fans.
Controversy and assault allegation explained
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.
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 from boxing?
David officially retired from boxing in 2018 at the age of 37.
Announcing his decision, he explained that his body could no longer perform at the elite level required to compete professionally.
“They say you can’t play boxing,” he said at the time. “As I reviewed my life and physicality it’s not what it needs to be.”
A series of serious injuries played a major role in that decision. Over the years, David suffered multiple setbacks, including ruptured biceps, a torn rotator cuff and a damaged Achilles tendon. All of which required surgery and lengthy rehabilitation.
Perhaps most significantly, he also underwent spinal surgery in 2015, something he later described as one of the toughest challenges of his career.
Reflecting on his retirement, David said he felt content with what he had achieved, adding that he was “happy and healthy” and proud to have secured his family’s future financially.
What is David Haye’s net worth?
Thanks to his success in boxing and ventures outside the sport, David has built up an impressive fortune.
He is reported to be worth around £17.5 million.
His earnings have come not only from fight purses, but also endorsements, television appearances and business ventures over the years.
David Haye’s ex wife and family life
Away from the spotlight, David was previously married to makeup artist Natasha Haye.
The couple tied the knot in 2008 and share a son together, Cassius.
However, their relationship came to an end in 2016, when Natasha filed for divorce citing unreasonable behaviour. Reports at the time claimed the divorce was granted quickly during a brief court hearing that neither party attended.
Despite the split, David has continued to speak about the importance of family in his life.
Who is David Haye’s girlfriend? Inside his ‘throuple’ headlines
David’s love life has frequently made headlines in recent years.
He has been in a relationship with model Sian Osborne since 2020, and the pair are believed to have an open relationship.
David has previously spoken about keeping his private life out of the public eye, saying that what happens “behind closed doors” is between those involved.
However, that hasn’t stopped speculation.
In 2023, he sparked headlines after sharing holiday photos with Sian and singer Una Healy, leading to rumours of a so-called ‘throuple’.
Una later addressed the speculation, explaining that while she had dated David, it was not a three-way relationship and she was not romantically involved with Sian.
David’s approach to relationships has often been described as “polyamorous”, though he himself has avoided putting labels on it.
Is Helen Flanagan with David Haye?
David also enjoyed a brief romance with Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan in 2023.
The pair had originally met years earlier during I’m A Celebrity in 2012.
Despite speculation at the time, Helen later made it clear that their relationship was strictly between the two of them and did not involve anyone else.
Speaking openly, she said she had no interest in a “throuple” dynamic and insisted her time with David was one-on-one.
When was David Haye first on I’m A Celebrity?
David first entered the jungle back in 2012 for the 12th series of I’m A Celebrity….
He performed strongly throughout the competition and ultimately finished in third place, behind Ashley Roberts and eventual winner Charlie Brooks.
Reflecting on the experience, David has previously said he thoroughly enjoyed his time in the jungle – something that likely influenced his decision to return.
Speaking ahead of I’m A Celebrity South Africa, he said he was keen for the adventure, especially as he had never visited the country before.
“I had a good time in Australia and I was the last man standing,” he said. “Ashley Roberts and Charlie Brooks pipped me to it – but I got bronze and I was on the podium!”
With his competitive streak, high-profile past and no shortage of life experience, David is sure to be one of the most talked-about campmates as I’m A Celebrity South Africa gets underway.
Whether he can go one better than his previous third-place finish, however, remains to be seen…
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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. He also withheld water from poor old Gemma Collins during her trial.
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!”
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.
David Haye slammed for ‘snarky’ remark about Gemma Collins’s appearance
On Friday (April 11), David faced backlash after being accused of mocking Gemma Collins’ appearance.
During a camp conversation, Gemma’s thick hair was mentioned. While agreeing, David remarked: “It definitely ain’t thin.” Viewers criticised the comment, calling it “rude” and “snarky.”
However, in last night’s episode (April 13), the pair appear to be on better terms.
After Gemma fell backwards off her hammock and ended up on the ground with her legs in the air, David quickly stepped in to help. He assisted her back onto her feet and returned her to the hammock.
“I’m winning at life!” she said as David came to her rescue.
‘She’s got the personality of a proper ugly bird’
He wasn’t winning at life for long, though, after rubbing viewers up the wrong way later in the episode with his comments about women.
Speaking about girlfriend Sian, David said: “She’s lovely. She’s got the personality of a proper ugly bird. Most ugly girls realise they gotta have a personality, to banter and tell jokes and [bleep], so people overlook the fact that they’re not aesthetically amazing straight away,” he said, adding: “It’s called ugly duckling syndrome. Where you get them when girls are ugly, when they start off, and then they get prettier as they get older, but they’ve still got the personality of when they were ugly.”
The comments sparked huge backlash with viewers watching at home. Many declared that David was giving all men a bad name.
“He’d fit right in on that Manosphere documentary!” said one viewer. Another added: “The other campmates need to tell David off instead of laughing it off.”
Read more: Adam Thomas snubbed by ITV after ‘explosive’ unaired row with I’m A Celebrity co-star
I’m A Celebrity South Africa is usually on weeknights at 9pm on ITV and ITVX.
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