Made in Chelsea’s Spencer Matthews and Jamie Laing upset charities by drinking and using sunbeds on cancer special
SPENDING weeks trying to evade capture would make anyone’s judgement a bit questionable.
But that is no excuse for Made in Chelsea duo SPENCER MATTHEWS and JAMIE LAING boozing and using sunbeds on the celebrity version of Hunted, which was commissioned for Channel 4’s charity fundraiser Stand Up To Cancer.
Bosses of the reality show — which sees pairs of contestants dodge an investigative team of ex-cops and intelligence professionals in a bid to disappear — have come under fire over the unhealthy scenes.
The British Skin Foundation was shocked to see Jamie using a sunbed while hiding out in a tanning salon.
A spokeswoman for the charity said last night: “It’s worrying to see celebrities using sunbeds on a Stand Up To Cancer show as they give out ultraviolet rays which are a known cause of skin cancer.”
Just as controversially, posh Gogglebox pair STEPH and DOM PARKER were filmed drinking and smoking.
Stand Up To Cancer — the annual partnership between Channel 4 and Cancer Research UK - also condemned the use of sunbeds and smoking.
The charity’s Rachel Carr said: “Cancer Research UK does not support the use of sunbeds or smoking, as scientific evidence clearly shows they increase the risk of developing cancer.
“But we know many people continue to smoke and use sunbeds — and the discussion Celebrity Hunted has caused can be helpful in reinforcing dangers associated with both activities.”
A spokeswoman for Channel 4 said the series was screened to help “save lives”, adding: “We would like to thank all the celebrities who donated their time and fee to Stand Up To Cancer.”
The antics have also concerned managers of Stand Up To Cancer — the annual partnership between Channel 4 and Cancer Research UK.
BARGAIN BIN Rich kid Spencer Matthews' book is being flogged in Poundland for £1
The charity’s Rachel Carr said: “Cancer Research UK does not support the use of sunbeds or smoking, as scientific evidence clearly shows they increase the risk of developing cancer.
“But we know many people continue to smoke and use sunbeds — and the discussion Celebrity Hunted has caused can be helpful in reinforcing the dangers associated with both activities.”
A spokeswoman for Channel 4 said the series was screened to help “save lives”, adding: “We would like to thank all the celebrities who generously donated their time and fee to Stand Up To Cancer.”
Surely there are better ways to show the risks of smoking and using sunbeds.
READ ON FOR THE REST OF DAN WOOTTON'S BIZARRE TV COLUMN
Figure skater
DANCING On Ice bosses should start worrying about melted rinks, if these hot bikini snaps of new pro VANESSA BAUER are anything to go by.
The German skater has been brought in to rival Strictly Come Dancing’s latest pro dancer, former Playboy model NADIYA BYCHKOVA.
And as well as signing Vanessa, I can reveal that ITV chiefs have also hired American pro and fellow beauty MEG MARSCHALL.
The pair will be teaching the likes of JAKE QUICKENDEN, KEM CETINAY and MAX EVANS how to stay upright on their skates when the ITV show hits screens in January.
A source said: “Show chiefs can’t believe their luck.
“Vanessa and Meg are bound to be huge favourites with viewers as they’ve both got great personalities as well as incredible looks.
“The male celebrities will be desperate to partner up with them.”
I’m sure they will have nothing to worry about – but X Factor singer Jake’s fiancée DANIELLE FOGARTY and Love Islander Kem’s girlfriend AMBER DAVIES will still no doubt be on their guard . . .
Must watch
WHAT? HARRY STYLES At The BBC, BBC1, 8pm.
WHY? The former ONE DIRECTION singer performs tracks from his self-titled debut album in front of a live audience and chats to Radio 1 DJ NICK GRIMSHAW.
Bake to future
THE final bakes have barely had time to cool – but the bun fight for fame and fortune has already begun among the Great British Bake Off alumni.
Winner SOPHIE FALDO, who triumphed on Tuesday, has bagged herself an agent at Factual Management, which also represents the DUCHESS OF CORNWALL’s son TOM PARKER BOWLES.
And finalist STEVEN CARTER-BAILEY joins the show’s first ever winner EDD KIMBER at Stonehouse Management.
But it’s popular baker LIAM CHARLES who really seems to have fallen on his feet. He’s signed with top agent Vivienne Clore, who also represents comedian SUSAN CALMAN and GBBO host SANDI TOKSVIG.
No pressure to follow in the footsteps of NADIYA HUSSAIN and CANDICE BROWN, then . . .
Fretton no more
BRAINY Ross Fretten is gutted about being fired on The Apprentice, but relieved to be away from the candidates’ immature banter.
The app founder was sent packing by LORD SUGAR after the buying task, which saw the apprentices locating specific items for his 70th birthday.
But Ross couldn’t wait to move out of the contestants’ pad after endless conversations about keeping fit and genitals.
In an exclusive interview, he explained: “It was incredibly difficult living in a shared house. The conversation consisted of people exchanging techniques at the gym or talking about d***s.
“It was like being back at high school and, even when I was 14, I didn’t find that stuff funny or interesting.
“There were only a couple I could have meaningful conversations with.”
Ross probably wouldn’t be moaning quite so much if he had won the £250,000 prize.
- FORMER News at Ten anchor MARK AUSTIN thinks ITV should give up trying to copy late-night US talk shows after The Nightly Show’s ratings flop. He said: “There’s no tradition of that sort of late-night satire over here.”
Soapbox
IN tonight’s EMMERDALE double bill, a stressed-out Paddy has a chat with headmistress Jessie – but things don’t turn out as he’d hoped.
In the aftermath of Emma’s murder, Gabby is caught out, Victoria is nervous, Rhona confronts her feelings and Laurel’s anxiety grows.
There’s more drama in EASTENDERS when a shaken Tina returns to the Queen Vic, where Shirley tells her she should talk to the police about being robbed by a gang.
But Tina is more interested in checking on Dave the cat, believing she accidentally hit him while driving home.
Meanwhile, Jack frantically searches for the missing kids and while things seem calmer between the Branning sisters, there’s a bombshell to come.
