A Channel 4 star has sparked outrage after praising Adolf Hitler for ‘being good with children’, before quitting the show in a rage of fury.
The broadcaster’s new social experiment Handcuffed, hosted by Jonathan Ross, sees 18 strangers with opposing views shackled together for a £100,000 prize.
The two people with polarising lifestyles and beliefs are required to stay tethered together for 10 days straight to have a chance to win the money.
However, following last night’s audacious first episode, one controversial contestant has already hacked through his set of handcuffs with a pair of bolt cutters.
British aristocrat Sir Benjamin Slade failed to see eye to eye with East London prison officer George, 60, as they spent time in the 79-year-old’s 14th century ancestral home in Somerset.
After showing off his extraordinary collection of historical artwork, the 7th Baronet of Maunsel pointed to a painting by the former leader of the Nazi Party.
Describing the dictator, Benjamin said: ‘He was a good painter, wasn’t he? He was very good at oratory, very good at history, very good with children and he loved music. And he’s good with dogs.’
After being told that he ‘sounded like a fan’ by George, Benjamin replied: ‘No. He was slightly difficult for other reasons.’
The two then clashed over why he bought the painting, with George saying: ‘I wouldn’t want his painting in my house because of what he did to humanity. That is a horror of a human being… do you not see that as abhorrent to some people?’
Attempting to justify its presence, Benjamin added: ‘That is just German art in that period you’ve got to respect it.’
Later in the episode after George clashed again with one of Benjamin’s friends about Nigel Farage, the leader of the Reform Party, the 79-year-old declared: ‘I give up. I’ve had enough actually.’
Storming through his residency, Benjamin demanded that the Channel 4 filming crew give him back his phone, despite their strict rules that they were not allowed them.
When the crew refused to give in, Benjamin then dragged George to the basement to use a pair of bolt cutters to set them free.
Reacting to the episode on X, Peter asked: ‘How can Benjamin say Hitler was good with children when he killed so many?’
Aidan also wrote: ‘Handcuffed: Last Pair Standing is pure cinema. Sir Ben the absolute madlad rocking an original Hitler painting in his gaff.’
Meanwhile, Thomas said: ‘Having a painting from Adolf Hitler in your house is absolutely disgusting #handcuffed’
Once introduced on the show, each pair must live in each other’s homes before heading out on a UK road trip all while physically chained together 24/
Handcuffed is available to watch on Channel 4.
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