Over the years, ‘I’m A Celebrity’ has become notorious for its eating challenges, which have seen its famous contestants chowing down on the likes of kangaroo testicles, crocodile penis and witchetty grubs.
However, Ferne’s challenge has hit a nerve with viewers, as she had to eat a live water spider, in order to win a meal for one of her fellow contestants.
While some viewers were disgusted - and others even impressed! - by Ferne’s performance in the task, others have hit out at the show on Twitter, claiming it was cruel for her to have to kill and eat the creature in order to win food for the camp.
@imacelebrity a little bit disappointed and disgusted that you actually let ferne kill and eat a live spider on TV!!
— Jaimee-Le_x (@JaimeeLe_JIx) December 6, 2015So they torture the poor spider then kill it, cruel much? #ImACeleb
— Tori Sanders (@SandersXx) December 6, 2015How can you shake a spider till it curls up in fear and then kill it.
— Tom (@tomcharlieleach) December 6, 2015#ImACeleb the live insects were always wrong but the spider was a new low ferne should have refused! Who cares for 1 meal?!
— Bex (@bubblybex3) December 6, 2015How did Ferne just eat that massive water spider on I'm a Celeb. That was the most awful thing I have ever witnessed in my entire life
— Jodie (@JodieFrances) December 6, 2015Blimey, Ferne did well, but I do think eating a live spider is cruel. I'm scared witless of big spiders but I never kill them. #ImACeleb
— Mrs Spanner (@mrsspanner) December 6, 2015So @ITV think it's ok to kill a spider for the sake of 'entertainment'. Whoever thought it was should be looking for a new job #ImACeleb
— Karl Jennings (@KarlJennings88) December 6, 2015I'm sorry, but how are ITV & I'm a celebrity allowed to get away with showing someone EAT & KILL an innocent live spider?
— olivia (@oliviathe1975) December 6, 2015Watching Fearne kill a large spider by chewing it to death is maybe the worst thing ive watched. TV has finally jumped the shark #ImACeleb
— Patrick Munds (@munds_patrick) December 6, 2015Am I the only one finding it inhumane to kill and eat a live spider for entertainment
— -Grace- (@grace_poole) December 6, 2015@antanddec shame on you. No need to kill a spider
— Ross K Walters (@RossK_W) December 6, 2015@antanddec Never been an animal rights advocate ,far from it, but to kill a spider for seconds of fun after shaking it silly is not good.
— Nick Branson (@MoanyOldDough) December 6, 2015However, others praised Ferne’s strength in the task, calling for her to win the show overall.
*Smashes phone screen by tapping VOTE FERNE* #ImACeleb
— Pete Allison (@Pete_Allison) December 6, 2015Jesus H Christ. If Ferne doesn't win after that, there's no justice in the world #ImACeleb
— Emma Kelly (@TooManyEmmas) December 6, 2015Right!! Ferne HAS to win after that! #imaceleb
— Faye Mckeever (@fayemckeever) December 6, 2015If Ferne McCann eats that spider, she deserves to win #ImACeleb ! That thing is a monster!!
— Freddie (@Freddie_UK) December 6, 2015I just downloaded the app on three devices to vote Ferne. And I didn't think I'd have a productive Sunday! #ImACeleb pic.twitter.com/TmbEjCbwm0
— Ryan Love (@RyanJL) December 6, 2015If ferne doesn't win after eating a live spider then I don't know what this world has come to
— Jadene Davies (@jadenedavies_) December 6, 2015Right!! Ferne HAS to win after that! #imaceleb
— Faye Mckeever (@fayemckeever) December 6, 2015WHAT A BEAST! FERNE HAS TO WIN NOW. #ImACeleb
— Sophie Wood (@SophieIsWasted) December 6, 2015This isn’t the first time that Ferne’s performance in a Bushtucker Trial has won her praise from viewers, in particular after she took part in the Panic Pit challenge.
The ‘TOWIE’ cast member remained in a tank for eight minutes, in an underground bunker, which was slowly filled with various critters, including a jungle python, which wrapped itself around her head, prompting her to joke: “I’m doing a Britney Spears.”
Ferne ultimately finished in third place in this year’s ‘I’m A Celebrity’, behind Union J singer George Shelley and Vicky Pattison, formerly of ‘Geordie Shore’ and ‘Ex On The Beach’.
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