A rumour that the vegans among the I’m A Celebrity campmates have been excused from taking part in Bushtucker trials has left a bad taste with Denise Welch.
The Loose Women panellist, 60, slammed the idea of exempting Fleur East, Sair Khan and James McVey from gulping down the gut-churning eating challenges to win meals for the group on the basis they don’t eat animal products.
The trials are notorious for featuring such delicacies as kangaroo penis and bull testicles.
Other vile treats such as witchetty grubs, roast spider, blended cockroach drinks and raw fish eyes have also been forced down by reluctant celebs over the show’s history.
Read more: Holly Willoughby “overwhelmed” by I’m A Celebrity debut
However, Denise believes contestants should not even be cast in the first place if they aren’t willing to scoff what’s put in front of them.
The Waterloo Road and former Corrie actress also suggested abstinent campmates would be letting TV viewers down by not taking part in the staple show feature.
Reacting to Ruth Langsford raising the subject, Denise immediately cried foul.
“That’s not fair,” she insisted.
Read more: I’m A Celebrity contestant salaries ‘revealed’
“They shouldn’t have three vegans in there if they can’t eat a penis.”
And after Stacey Solomon had pondered over whether Gillian McKeith’s vegetarian lifestyle had hampered her group’s Bushtucker trial chances in 2010 when they were both contestants, a fired up Denise continued to express her disappointment in the celebs who have sworn off meat and dairy.
“I did hear, and I don’t know it it is true, that they have been allowed on ‘medical grounds’ not to do the trials,” claimed Denise.
“I do think that will be really disappointing to the audience because [the Bushtucker trial is] one of their favourites, isn’t it?”
Last week an unnamed TV insider told the Daily Star the ITV series was facing a ‘crisis’ over the much-loved challenge format.
“It could prove a bit tricky for bosses if they refuse to do the eating Bushtucker trials,” they were reported to have said.
“Fleur has already told bosses that she is strictly vegan and does not go near any animal products. It’s certainly not ideal.”
Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think of this story.