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Nick Knowles Prompts Debate As He Refuses To Pick Up Ladies' Knickers On 'I'm A Celeb'

Nick Knowles Prompts Debate As He Refuses To Pick Up Ladies' Knickers On 'I'm A Celeb'

Viewers are split over the 'DIY SOS' presenter's comments

Rachael Grealish

Rachael Grealish

Nick Knowles has been causing some debate with his actions in the I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here jungle - or rather his lack of action, after he refused to pick up a pair of ladies' knickers as he felt 'uncomfortable'.

The 56-year-old DIY SOS host posed the situation to his fellow campmate John Barrowman, saying: "I don't feel comfortable handling women's knickers, but they are wet and need drying so would you hang them on the line?"

However, this caused a bit of debate between John and Nick as former Torchwood actor replied: "Why do you feel uncomfortable? It's just an item of clothing, it's not inappropriate. It's fine to hang a pair of women's knickers on the washing line."

After Emily Atack talked about Nick possibly feeling awkward about picking up the underwear it seemed to hit a nerve with John, who said: "Then why is it okay for me, a gay man, to pick it up but it's not okay for a straight man? It's just a piece of clothing!

Nick Knowles Causes Debate When He Won't Pick Up Ladies Knickers.
ITV

"Touching a pair of knickers doesn't mean you want to have sex with them, there are no sexual connotations at all! She might have a problem with me picking up her knickers but I don't have a problem with it. I do laundry, it's no big deal."

The matter then became the subject of discussion elsewhere, as former I'm A Celeb contestant Iain Lee appeared on ITV's Good Morning Britain today and promptly labelled presenter Susannah Reid 'too old' for Nick.

Discussing the knicker issue, Iain said: "Someone told me that Nick Knowles saw a pair of pants on the floor - surprisingly for Nick, because he's a bit of a player..."

At this point, Susannah interjected with: "Oh, is he?!?"

Iain replied: "Susanna, of course he is. You wouldn't know - you're too old for him. I say that with love and respect to everybody involved."

Afterwards, he went on to explain that he knew from his own time on the show how 'small things' can get to you in the jungle.

On Twitter, comments about the situation have varied from support for Nick and a few people striking out against him.

One person said: "He probably didn't want to be dubbed a perv which is fair enough. John being gay could be seen as acceptable to handle the knickers as he has no interest in females sexually. It's nothing to do with homophobia. Stop looking for something that isn't there!"

Another commented: "Nick Knowles, as a leading feminist, I can inform you it's FINE to pick up women's knickers. Unless you're gonna drape them over your nose and walk around shouting 'CONDOR!'"

A third tweeted: "Plus Nick said its weird for 'a man' to pick up lady's knickers. So why ask John Barrowman? John is male is he not? Nick has issues."

With things heating up in the jungle we'll have to wait and see if this tiff has got any more knickers in a twist before tonight's episode.

Featured Image Credit: ITV

Topics: TV and Film, Celebrity, UK Entertainment, ITV, I'm A Celebrity