Ant and Dec face backlash from Australians after branding them 'uncouth layabouts who barely wash' in light-hearted joke on I'm A Celebrity

They are famed for their laid back approach to life, preferring to surf or fire up the barbecue than ignite a war of words.

But Australians were up in arms yesterday after being mortally offended by I’m a Celeb presenters Ant and Dec.

The duo are filming the reality show in Queensland, and managed to upset an entire nation by calling Australians ‘uncouth layabouts who barely wash’.

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One joke too far? Ant and Dec managed to upset an entire nation by calling Australians ‘uncouth layabouts who barely wash’ on Saturday night's I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!

During Saturday night’s episode of the ITV show they announced that Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt would be the new camp president.

Dec, 41, began: ‘As you know this job is about ruling over a group of uncouth layabouts who rarely wash and can barely light a fire.'

To which his partner Ant, also 41, replied: ‘Basically, it’s like being the Australian prime minister!’

Controversial: Dec began the joke by calling the campers ‘a group of uncouth layabouts who rarely wash', to which Ant replied: Basically, it’s like being the Australian prime minister!

While the pair are favourites with British viewers their laddish banter certainly did not impress Australian Senator James McGrath, who said: ‘That’s a bit rich coming from a pair of TV presenters. I wonder what was the last book they read that didn’t need crayons.’

Australian entertainer Roland Roccichiolli took particular exception to the slight added that it was his home nation that invented the shower.

He said: ‘Australians are drunks and layabouts and they don’t wash?

One joke too far? The comedy duo are known for their witty sketches inbetween footage of the campers on the beloved reality show

‘We invented the shower! Australians invented it. When I first started going to England, there was no air conditioning and no shower.

He added: ‘I did see a photograph of Ant smoking. You’d have to be an idiot to smoke wouldn’t you?

‘It was such a silly comment to make. I think it is disrespectful, and I thought it’s ill-bred. I would never go to England and make a comment like that.

‘I think they’re loose-lipped anyway. If you watch them on the television it’s what I call smart alec television. They’re really loose-lipped and quick witted and sometimes the mouth goes into action before the mind goes into gear.

 

 

Not impressed: Australian entertainer Roland Roccichiolli (L) and Queensland MP George Christensen (R) have since called the presenters up on the comment

Queensland MP George Christensen said: ‘Far be it for me to take offence of the inane ramblings of some reality TV show star wants to spew out, but actually there’s a long-standing joke in Australia about the Brits not washing, so.

‘Well I don’t know if it’s based on b*****t or historical fact but the story goes that you don’t need to shower over there because it’s so cold. Here in Australia we shower twice a day because it’s that bloody hot!

‘A joke is a joke, but it’s a bit daft to be in our country and be making remarks like that to say Australians are not the stereotype that people have. I think most British folk would understand, we do love a drink, that’s for sure. But we do wash as well. ‘

An I’m a Celebrity source said: ‘The comment was made in jest to the Australian crew in a lighthearted tone that viewers would recognise as being a long established part of the past 15 years of I’m a Celebrity and was delivered in that spirit.’ 

Cheeky chappies: A source said: ‘The comment was made in jest to the Australian crew in a lighthearted tone that viewers would recognise as being a long established part of the past 15 years of I’m a Celebrity and was delivered in that spirit’

 

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