Ant and Dec slammed by I’m a Celebrity viewers for ‘shameful’ joke about Happy Monday star Shaun Ryder

Shaun Ryder has previously been open about his addiction struggles during the early 1990s.
Ant and Dec have returned to the screens for I'm A Celebrity All Stars (Pic:Getty)Ant and Dec have returned to the screens for I'm A Celebrity All Stars (Pic:Getty)
Ant and Dec have returned to the screens for I'm A Celebrity All Stars (Pic:Getty)

Ant and Dec have come under fire for a savage joke directed at Happy Mondays star Shaun Ryder during the first episode of the I’m A Celebrity: All Stars series.

The TV hosts from Newcastle upon Tyne returned to the screens on Monday night to host the new ITV series in South Africa.

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Carol Vorderman, Amir Khan, and Jordan Banjo faced the first terrifying trial of the series, which saw them walk along a platform high above the ground and dangle in the air to collect codes and earn stars.

As they introduced the next group of contestants, Ant and Dec made a reference to Shaun Ryder’s drug addiction battle.

"Welcome back to I’m A Celebrity...South Africa. So we’ve met our first three contestants - Carol, Amir, and Jordan. And before they could head into camp, they faced a challenge that meant they would be higher than Shaun Ryder in the nineties," Ant mocked.

"Wow... wow. That is high," added Dec.

The Happy Mondays legend has previously been open about his addiction struggles during the early 1990s.

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Fans of the show rushed to social media to share their reaction to the comments.

One tweeted: "OMG, Ant and Dec did not just make that joke about Shaun."

Another said: "Ant and Dec went too far with that joke... Christ."

A third commented: “Shameful, disrespectful. Mocking is for degenerates. He’s forgotten more than you pair will ever know. SHOW RESPECT.’’

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A fourth added: “Love Shaun. He has always owed his drug battle and has been an inspiration to so many.”

The former singer participated in the tenth season of I’m a Celebrity in 2010 and finished as a runner-up. He was the final celebrity confirmed for the latest series.

Ahead of the series kicking off, Shaun said: “All I can remember about the trials is eating a lot of penises, testicles and eyeballs.”

“I could have stayed another year in Australia. I loved living outside in the camp. I had a proper laugh with my fellow celebrities.

“I know going to South Africa will be a great adventure. I can’t wait to do it.”