People divided after bloke loses huge food challenge by just five bites

Brits have been left divided after a bloke failed a food challenge with just a few bites left to go.

Pizza restaurant Sunderland Slice - which is in Sunderland, as you may have guessed - held a challenge for food-lovers to try and demolish a 24-inch pizza in just 45 minutes.

That might sound easy, but when you see how big that is, it’s no mean feat.

Although it’s not easy, as the challenge has been completed by a select few, according to the Sunderland Slice Instagram account, including record-holder Kyle Vs Food who managed it in just 13-minutes and nine-seconds.

However, one recent competitor was timed out with just ‘five bites’ left to go, dividing opinions.

Sharing a snap of the bloke, Sunderland Slice explained: “That moment when you’re five bites away from completing our 24” pizza challenge and the timer rings.

Facebook/Sunderland Slice

“A good effort but unfortunately the box has to be cleared to win yourself a spot on the wall of fame. What do you reckon? Were we too harsh on him?”

And it’s fair to say that people were pretty divided, with some pointing out that the rules are the rules and others were able to taste the bitter disappointment the poor lad had alongside his massive pizza.

Commenting on the post, one person wrote: “Eh, I'd be gutted but rules are rules.”

Someone else joked: “Not harsh enough, I wouldn't post him on social media for leaving so much food.”

A third said: “Not to harsh you either complete or you don't, great effort though.”

Others were more sympathetic, with a fellow Facebook user saying: "Too harsh he the closest.”

A second said: “Yes, too harsh.”

Facebook/Sunderland Slice

Another wrote: “Far too harsh, poor lad is sweating.”

Last week, another competitive eater was left gutted after he failed a food challenge after refusing to eat salad.

Dan took on Cattlemans Steakhouse’s challenge in Devon - their belly-busting mega Mixed Grill.

Devouring the monster meal in less than an hour, he took on a 20oz rump steak, 12oz of gammon, four sausages, three chicken wings, a chicken breast and a 6oz cheeseburger.

Then that’s all accompanied by chunky chips, onion rings, a whole tomato, large mushrooms, two fried eggs, pineapple rings and that victimising salad.

Giving a big thumbs down, the caption reads 'so close…he didn't tell us he didn't like salad'.

The post split opinions with some thinking Dan should have just quietly scoffed the salad and others thinking it was a bit harsh.

Steakhouse owner Gary King was happy to defend the team’s decision, though, by simply saying: “The challenge is to eat everything.”