Ant McPartlin has been accused of making ‘inappropriate’ comments to female I’m A Celebrity producers.
The 49-year-old presenter, who hosts the ITV reality series alongside Declan Donnelly, reportedly made comments which have been branded ‘sexist’ about female producers losing their virginity.
He is said to have repeatedly referenced their looks, made suggestive comments and asked if they’d ‘found a boyfriend yet’.
The Britain’s Got Talent host has now been condemned for his alleged comments by MP Rosie Duffield, who sits on the women and equalities committee.
It’s claimed Ant made comments on Jungle Club, a private broadcast channel on Instagram, following the main I’m A Celebrity show airing.
According to The Mail on Sunday, Ant singled out two producers, aged 40 and 24, and referred to their looks and relationship status.
He allegedly said: ‘She’s very pretty you know, but she refuses to be on camera,’ and later called the same producer ‘fit and looking all right’.
He also reportedly joked that the other woman could both ‘give it and take it’ and then said ‘oops, cheeky,’ after realising the double meaning.
The publication also claims that the women’s sex lives have become been joked about by the Geordie presenter, after he noticed they both wore thumb rings, which they showed to fans in the broadcast channel by giving thumbs up signs from behind the camera.
Ant allegedly said: ‘Is that a thing that you wear a ring on your thumb when you’re single? And then when you get with a boy, you pop it off? Anyone who wants to date Lola, send some pictures of yourself.’
He also referred to them as ‘virginity rings’, and said: ‘Lola…The thumb rings are gone – the virginity ring is gone. What’s going on there then? Are you having a nice time, yeah?’
Dec then reportedly interrupted by saying: ‘Let’s leave that. We’re getting into murky waters.’
When the female producers showed their thumbs on camera on a different night, Ant said: ‘Look at all those thumbs and thumb rings. They’re all single and they’re all virgins.’
At one point, it’s claimed Dec warned Ant: ‘HR is going to be here in a minute,’ to which Ant quipped: ‘Again!’
It’s also said Ant had cupcake icing on his hand, and told the female producer called Lola: ‘Lola, would you like to lick that? She likes toppings. Do you like toppings: thumbs up or thumbs down?’
She reportedly put her thumb up, reaching over the camera, with Ant then saying: ‘See, I told you, she likes toppings, I’ll save it for you for later.’
The publication notes that the follow-up show is produced by Mitre Studios, Ant and Dec’s company, and does not sit on an ITV platform.
Independent politician Duffield, who resigned as a member of the Labour Party in September, said: ‘Sexual harassment is sexual harassment. The power dynamic involves rich, powerful celebrities punching down on the younger people who cannot fight back.
‘It may have been ‘banter’ decades ago, but you do not have to intimidate or target a person, or make it sexualised.’
Women’s Rights campaigner and activist Patsy Stevenson also said: ‘These remarks reflect a culture of casual sexism that undermines women in the workplace.
‘The comments about “licking toppings” and asking for photos of potential suitors are particularly degrading and verge on harassment.
‘For someone in Ant’s position, there is a responsibility to lead by example.’
A spokesperson for Ant told MailOnline: ‘The production team on Jungle Club have worked together for many years.
‘Much of the comedy programme’s content deliberately leans into Ant and Dec’s comedic friendship and working relationship with the crew.’
Metro has approached Ant’s reps and ITV for comment.
I’m A Celebrity continues tonight at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
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