Adam Thomas ‘probably would have walked’ if not for Gemma Collins on I’m A Celeb

Adam Thomas has said he “probably would have walked” if Gemma Collins had not been in the jungle with him in I’m A Celebrity… South Africa.

The 37-year-old actor said the reality star helped to keep him going during his stint on the ITV reality show, after her elimination on Monday night.

The Waterloo Road star previously revealed that having psoriatic arthritis “took its toll” while he was on the show, and he found it “exhausting” to “pretend to put on a brave face” and hide the pain.

In a message to his 1.3 million Instagram followers on Tuesday, Thomas posted an image of himself and Collins sharing an embrace on the show.

As he paid tribute to the former Only Way Is Essex star, he wrote: “From start to finish you was real, no act, no front, just you. The laughs, the tears, the way you were there for people when they needed it most, especially me!

“I was there to pick you up and you did the same for me, had my back every step of the way. If I’m being honest, if you wasn’t in there I probably would’ve walked a long time ago. You kept it going for me more than you even know.

“Everyone can see how special you are. You showed humility, empathy, strength, and still managed to bring the entertainment every single time!! As a viewer, you MADE that show for me. No question.

“Should’ve been in that final, should’ve been crowned, but either way, you’ll always be my queen of the jungle.”

Thomas said meeting Collins was the “best thing to ever come out of that experience”.

He has previously revealed his struggle with psoriatic arthritis, which is a long-term condition that causes joint pain, swelling and stiffness, according to the NHS.

The former Emmerdale star also told how he clashed with campmate David Haye. Viewers saw a row between the pair during Friday’s episode after Thomas opted out of a bushtucker trial because he was “dehydrated” and “not feeling well”.

Over the weekend, Thomas said the boxer “pushed me to my limits” but had since apologised, and the pair have moved on. “I’m not one to hold a grudge,” he added.

After his exit on Monday night, former boxer Haye insisted he was “bantering” with the Manchester-born actor, but admitted he is an “extremist” and may have pushed too far.