Actor Adam Thomas has revealed an unusual encounter at his local village shop that saw him unexpectedly charged an extra £100 in what the shop owner later described as a joke.
The Emmerdale star, 37, said the incident happened during a routine visit to buy sweets for his children, but quickly escalated into an awkward exchange over money, celebrity status and a misunderstanding that later turned into an apology.
Card Machine Shock Sparks Confusion at Village Off-Licence
Thomas explained that while paying for his items at a nearby corner shop, he noticed the card machine displayed a charge far higher than expected.
According to his account, the shop owner manually adjusted the payment amount and told him he “didn’t need” the money, referencing the actor’s recent appearance on I’m A Celebrity… South Africa.
The actor said he was stunned when the £100 charge appeared, prompting him to challenge the transaction immediately.
Celebrity Status Dragged Into Heated Exchange
Thomas recalled that the shop owner joked he could afford the inflated price because of his television earnings, a comment that left the actor feeling uncomfortable.
The situation reportedly escalated into a brief confrontation, with Thomas insisting the extra charge was inappropriate despite the long-standing familiarity between them.
He noted that the shop had been a regular stop for his family and that the owner had previously shown kindness to his children.
Later Apology and Money Returned
Weeks after the incident, Thomas said he returned to the shop and was met with an apology from the owner.
The shopkeeper reportedly handed back the £100, explaining that the earlier incident was meant as a joke that had gone too far.
Thomas said the exchange ended on calmer terms, even joking that he left the shop with refreshments after the situation was resolved.
Podcast Reveal Adds Humour Among Brothers
The story emerged during a conversation on the At Home With The Thomas Bros podcast, where Thomas shared the incident with his brothers Ryan Thomas and Scott Thomas.
The discussion quickly turned light-hearted, with his siblings joking about the absurdity of the situation and the unexpected “resolution” involving food rather than conflict.
Post-Reality TV Tensions and ITV Fallout
The revelation comes shortly after Adam Thomas completed his run on I’m A Celebrity: South Africa, where he claimed he felt “exploited” by broadcaster ITV during his time on the show.
He also suggested the experience had been emotionally draining, despite winning the series with a strong public vote.
His comments, shared on the family podcast, have sparked wider discussion about his relationship with ITV and his future appearances on the channel.
Emotional Aftermath of Jungle Experience
Thomas has previously spoken about the impact the show had on his wellbeing, saying the experience was far more intense than viewers might have realised.
At points during the podcast, he became emotional describing how difficult the process had been and how it had affected his family life.
He suggested he would not repeat the experience, saying no financial offer would make him return to the jungle environment.
ITV Responds Amid Viewer Complaints
The controversy surrounding the series has also drawn regulatory attention, with thousands of complaints submitted to media watchdog Ofcom.
ITV has defended the production, stating that appropriate welfare measures were in place for all participants and that the show reflects a fair depiction of camp life.
Despite the backlash, the broadcaster has not confirmed plans for future instalments of the spin-off series.
