Adele Roberts has been accused of trying to “get a vote from a certain community” over her decision to take a photo of Jane McDonald into the I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! jungle.
The Radio 1 DJ came in for criticism from former contestant John Barrowman on ITV2 spin-off show Extra Camp on Tuesday night, after she’d butted heads with campmate Roman Kemp over the picture.
Adele had won the picture as her luxury item during a challenge the night before, and it’s fair it had already divided viewers, with some left completely baffled and others who thought the whole thing was iconic.
But John took things a step further with his comments as he addressed the goings on in camp.
Of her clash with Roman, John said: “She has been caught out a little bit because she used the word prejudice, and he was just a young man asking a question.
“If you brought a picture of Jane McDonald on you should probably know the songs she sang.
“She probably brought it on to get a vote from a certain community and it’s all backfired on her a little bit, I think you are seeing her true colours right now.”
Alison Hammond, who appeared with Adele as a housemate on Big Brother 3 in 2002, also said: “It was random and he was just stating a fact maybe she is embarrassed or maybe she has been caught out a little bit.”
Adele and Roman had clashed in camp after he’d teased her about the picture, with him and Kate Garraway challenging her to name one of the Wakefield Wonder’s songs.
Adele said: “I know her off Loose Women. I don’t know her actual songs but I know her from the cruising show when she does covers.”
Roman – who previously admitted he’d had no idea who Jane was – and Rak-Su member Myles Stephenson laughed and both said: “No one knows what she does,” before Kate replied: “She’s a legend.”
After a tense back-and-forth, branded Adele’s treasured possession “random”.
An irritated Adele challenged him, saying: “If I brought in a picture of RuPaul, would you say the same thing? That’s prejudice. I’m allowed to like what I want.
Realising he had upset her, Roman apologised, saying: “I wasn’t saying that at all. I’m sorry – I didn’t mean to.”
Adele then said: “It’s like you’re saying: ‘Why would I like Jane McDonald?’ I’m not allowed to like what I want?”
The Capital Radio DJ quickly apologised before giving Adele a hug and insisting he “liked” the picture being hung up in camp.
The sheer ridiculousness of the row prompted suitable reactions from viewers on Twitter...
I’m A Celebrity airs nightly at 9pm on ITV with Extra Camp airing straight after on ITV2.
