ITV’s stripping celebrities were paid £10,000 each to appear on The Real Full Monty: Ladies Night, reports claim.
But, according to The Sun, only £4,000 was raised for charity by the one-off special which helped raise awareness for breast cancer.
Loose Women host Coleen Nolan, broadcaster Victoria Derbyshire, Emmerdale star Sally Dexter, TOWIE’s Megan McKenna, Liberty X singer Michelle Heaton all overcame their inhibitions and dared to bare as part of the show which was not specifically promoted as a charity appeal for money.
Read more: Coleen Nolan overcome with emotion as she recalls her experience in The Real Full Monty
They were joined by Ab Fab actress Helen Lederer, Hi-de-Hi! favourite Ruth Madoc and presenter Sarah-Jane Crawford.
A fundraising page for charities including CoppaFeel!, Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now linked to an official page for the hit show on ITV.com reveals £4,218 has currently been donated by viewers.
However, ITV has defended itself against claims the show’s stars enjoyed a whopping payday for taking their kit off by insisting the programme was “clearly” not about raising money for charity.
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An ITV spokesperson told us: “The Real Full Monty shows’ clear focus and aim was raising awareness about cancer and encouraging people to make vital health checks which can save lives. They clearly weren’t television charity fundraisers.
“The people who took part have all been touched by cancer in some way in their lives and their passion for raising awareness was obvious to everyone watching.
He added: “They were ITV’s most watched factual shows this year, with overwhelmingly positive feedback, reaching millions of people with an important health message”
Viewers hailed the brave performances as “inspirational”, with the moving stories of cancer survivor Victoria Derbyshire and Michelle Heaton – who have both had mastectomies – coming in for particular praise.
Joyful. Moving. Empowering. Respect to all the wonderful women on #therealfullmontyladiesnight
— Sue Perkins (@sueperkins) March 29, 2018
Inspiring, moving, brave and courageous. Truly wonderful and powerful message. Fantastic two nights of raising awareness. You should all be very proud. So well done ❤ #therealfullmonty
— tracey hurst (@traceyhurst) March 29, 2018
#TheRealFullMonty Ladies Night. Well done ladies you were all a inspiration tonight foe a great cause to spread awareness of this awful disease. My friend is dealing with BC. So proud of you girls. Amazing 💕😘
— joyce Jordan (@joyceJo49834475) March 29, 2018
The Real Full Monty: Ladies Night followed a version with male stars who performed a strip routine from 1990s British film The Fully Monty. Prostrate cancer was the cause brought into focus by that ITV special.
Love this photo ❤ #TheRealFullMonty #therealfullmontyladiesnight pic.twitter.com/uZkW0nU4hA
— Victoria Derbyshire (@vicderbyshire) March 29, 2018
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