I'm A Celeb hit with Ofcom complaints as Ant and Dec's joke spark uproar

I'm A Celebrity has stirred up controversy, drawing the ire of viewers and prompting an array of complaints to Ofcom. The much-loved ITV show returned just over a week ago and has since racked up 70 complaints from unhappy viewers.

The root of the issue is a joke made by the show's hosts, Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, that involved references to the Bible and Christian faith. This came about after former pop star turned vicar, Reverend Richard Coles, was cast for the show alongside Love Island favourite Maura Higgins.

On several occasions during live broadcasts, Ant and Dec were seen jesting with prayer-like hand gestures accompanied by orchestral music when speaking about Richard. In an episode featuring a typically challenging eating trial with Maura and Richard participating, Dec wittily asked: "More tea vicar?"

Back in the studio after the trial, Dec described the situation as "unholy" while Ant added his own twist with the phrase "Bum-holey". In a recent Tuesday show, viewers watched Ant deliver what could be seen as a mock sermon.

Richard, who became a priest in 2005 after splitting from his band The Communards with Jimmy Somerville in 1997, was reported on by the Mirror. Having switched to Roman Catholicism in 1991, he reverted back to the Church of England years later. Before venturing into the jungle, Ant had a sharp comment lined up for Richard on the spin-off show, I'm A Celebrity...Unpacked, reports the Mirror.

Though Ant prophesied a buzz of energy from Maura's presence in the camp, he pointed to Richard as a source of calm and stability. Ant quipped: "More people might know her," alluding to public reactions expected with Mauras participation in the reality series. Richard astonished viewers when he impishly hinted at a tryst with nobility during a sincere exchange.

Online sensation Grace Keeling, also known as GK Barry, quizzed the campmate in a heart-to-heart, asking: "Who's the most interesting person you've ever met?" Although Richard initially skirted the question with politeness, commenting on how he finds everyone interesting, Keeling persisted with questions about royalty, which led to his tongue-in-cheek answer: "Great in bed..."

This prompted an outburst of laughter from GK Barry. The internet was quickly abuzz, with comments streaming in over Richard's suggestive comment. Bemused fans took to the internet with one asking: "Who has Richard bedded from the Royal family? Have I missed something?"

While another playfully remarked: "Reverend Richard said a Royal was good in bed." Another fan chimed in both in fondness and curiosity: "I love Richard so much and I need to know which Royal he was talking about."

The conversation took a more serious turn as GK Barry explored Richard's personal reflections on faith alongside his sexuality. She asked: "Did you find it quite difficult being gay and doing that job?".

Richard responded with heartfelt transparency, asserting: "No, not at all. I've never given it a moment's twinge of anxiety over whether God thought it was alright or not. Whether other people thought it was alright or not, well I'm happy to have that argument. Also, I was not the first. Sometimes I look at documents from the early church, or the church of the middle ages and I just think - so gay."

In a candid Bush Telegraph moment, GK admitted: "I came into this jungle, maybe not knowing who I would gel with or who I would be close with in here and never in a million years if you told me that I would be getting on best with a reverend would I have believed you."

I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! continues weeknights on ITV from 9pm.