Pensioners wearing coats in their living rooms and others struggling to cope with the rising cost of living in the UK have slammed the BBC for its seemingly ill-timed latest series. On Tuesday, April 12, the first episode of six-part series Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof aired, which sees Holly Willoughby and Lee Mack follow eight famous faces as they give up their warm, cosy lives to live in the bitterly cold Italian mountains.
Over the coming weeks, the celebrities will be put through their paces as they take on a series of daunting cold challenges designed to push their minds and bodies to the limit. They will be guided by record-breaking, global sensation Wim Hof, AKA 'The Ice Man', who genuinely believes that embracing the cold will change their lives for the better - a sentiment a lot of viewers have taken issue with.
The celebrities participating in the chilling series are Patrice Evra, Gabby Logan, Alfie Boe, Tamzin Outhwaite, Owain Wyn Evans, Dianne Buswell, Professor Green and Chelcee Grimes. All of these famous faces are taking part for various personal reasons, and hope to emerge from the experience happier, healthier, and stronger.
Tuesday night's inaugural episode saw the eight celebrities strip down to just their swimwear and jump down into a hole cut into a frozen lake. Although some of the famous contestants found the challenge a bit too much, becoming hesitant and emotional, all of them were able to complete it.
After braving the freezing cold water, the celebrities then tackled a forward-facing abseil down a staggeringly tall 500ft cliff face. Once again, the eight celebrities did not exactly breeze through the challenge, but were all able to overcome it before spending the night in their warm tents.
Like viewers of any television show these days, those who caught the first episode of Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof took to social media afterwards to express their opinions. Some felt that the BBC's decision to run the show at this particular point in time was tone-deaf.
Dave wrote on Twitter: "Have to question the logic of the BBC.. putting on a show with celebrities living in luxury when people can barely afford to live these days.. #FreezeTheFear"
"#freezethefear I’m a pensioner sitting at home with my coat on, as I can’t afford the heating being on, watching these overpaid “celebrities” in this nonsense show, paid for by MY LICENCE FEE!!!!" said Tony.
Meraulton wrote: "Here's some subliminal messaging tonight on BBC1 at 9. Freeze The Fear with Wim Hof.
"A bunch of useless celebrities are pushed to their limits under freezing temperatures. That will be reality this winter in the Uk for the whole population."
Colin said: "Don’t worry about having to jump into a cold puddle. With the way gas and electric prices keep rising, most of us will be freezing in our own living rooms this coming winter. #FreezeTheFear"
Although some viewers found the show to be somewhat offensive and ill-timed, others have vocalised their love for the show and expressed a desire to be on it themselves. One viewer said: "Just watched #FreezeTheFear & wasn't really liking the idea of "celebs" doing the challenges but after hearing Tamsin & Alfie's stories about her mum & his marriage break up, my heart melted. Getting hugs from Wim is very special & I'd love to be on the show myself."
Tiggy Hambleton said: "If you didn’t love #wimhof before you will after #FreezeTheFear .. Oh! My heart. I need to do this."
Fan of TV wrote: "#FreezeTheFear was a brilliant programme. I’d be hesitant to jump into the ice water pit but there is no way at all that I would walk down the side of a mountain face first; I would stay in those love glamping tents though! I look forward to next week’s episode!"
The next episode of Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof airs on Tuesday, April 19 at 9pm on BBC One.
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