Scarlett Moffatt reveals she emailed a time travel theory to Stephen Hawking... as fans react angrily to Ant and Dec's 'distasteful' mock call to the professor

Published: 23:41 GMT, 16 November 2016 | Updated: 00:08 GMT, 17 November 2016

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She's known for coming out with a howler or two.

And Scarlett Moffatt had her jungle campmates and viewers at home in stitches when she revealed she once tried contacting Professor Stephen Hawking regarding a time travel theory, on Wednesday night's I'm A Celebrity.

The Gogglebox star told the story after Olympic Hockey star Sam Quek said meeting the physicist at an awards ceremony was the first time she'd felt in the presence of a legend.

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Surprising: Scarlett Moffatt revealed she once tried contacting Professor Stephen Hawking regarding a time travel theory, on Wednesday night's I'm A Celebrity

'What a legend. I was telling Scarlett, it was the first time I ever felt I was in the presence of a legend,' said Sam.

Scarlett then chipped in: 'I once emailed him because I had a theory about time travel.'

She then proceeded to divulge the details of her scientific 'discovery', explaining: 'In order to travel back in time we have to go faster than the speed of light.

Kind words: Olympic hockey ace Sam Quek described Stephen as a legend

'The speed of light is like 319 and then loads of numbers, it’s exactly the same latitude point as the tip of the great Pyramid.

'So I think the pyramids are from the future, I think someone from the future realised we would need them and went back in time and built them.'

But if they were initially impressed with Scarlett's unexpected rationale, then all was quickly undone when she revealed how she went about making contact.

Making contact: Scarlett revealed she tried emailing the professor's Hotmail account

'And you contacted Stephen Hawkins with this theory?' asked Lisa.

Scarlett replied: 'Well I was trying to look for his email address, but it was a Hotmail account so I’m not too sure it’s real.'

Following the clip from the camp, Ant and Dec proceeded to launch into a sketch which received a mixed response from viewers.

Too far? Ant and Dec carried out a mock phone call to Stephen Hawking which received a mixed response from viewers

Dec began: 'That's an interesting theory isn't? It's a shame she didn't get in touch with Stephen Hawking via his Hotmail account.'

Ant added: 'She should have asked me. I've got his mobile.'

The cheeky Geordie pretended to call Stephen, with a robotic voice mimicking the real professor saying: 'Sorry lads it's a load of old tosh.'

Mixed emotions: Some were unimpressed by the presenters while others thought those moaning were overreacting

Taking to Twitter, one viewer raged: 'Have them t***s just took the p**s out of Stephen Hawking?....thats (sic) really low and not funny at all. #ImACeleb'

While another said: 'Proper think that Professor Stephen Hawking gaff was a bit wrong!! #ImACeleb'

As a third vented: 'Nah you don't go after Stephen hawking like that lads. Not cool #ImACeleb #badtaste'

Unimpressed: The lighthearted sketch was seen as too far by some

Offended: One user even tagged in the regulator Ofcom

'Sorry what have I just watched?' questioned one viewer. 'Ant and Dec making a joke about Stephen Hawking's voice? Distasteful #ImACeleb @antanddec @ITV @Ofcom'

However, not everyone was as upset, with some leaping to the defence of the duo.

One posted: 'Some people need to get a sense of humour with this Stephen hawking sketch on #ImACeleb ITS A JOKE !!

And another hit back: 'Everyone going crazy over @antanddec @imacelecmaking a Stephen Hawking joke on @imacelebrity. Take a chill pill people #ImACeleb'