Viewers of BBC One's latest TV show Freeze the Fear have savaged the show for airing as the cost of living spikes. The new game show follows celebrities as they compete in a series of sub-zero tasks.
The first episode, which aired tonight, showed celebrities plunging into an ice pit with the help of motivational speaker Wim Hof. But many social media commenters compared getting into the ice pit with taking a bath.
Twitter user @Selexiak said: "Look how wonderful it is to be cold. Is this a Government-sponsored information show to get us to turn that central heating off?"
@ComedyJo said: "Thanks to the energy prices cold water is all I’m getting anyway!" @HalfordU said: "Has this been commissioned by the Government to show you can endure the cold because you can’t afford to put the heating on #FreezeTheFear #CostOfLivingCrisis."
@MsGasometer said: "What’s the point of this show? To help people cope with the energy crisis?" @MondoMoody added: "Are the BBC getting us ready for crippling energy bills with Freeze the Fear so we can survive do you think?"
Running for six episodes, Freeze the Fear will feature a host of famous faces including former Manchester United captain Patrice Evra, broadcaster Gabby Logan, weatherman Owain Wyn Evans, and singer Algie Boe, competing in frosty challenges. Episode one featured a forward-facing abseil and the ice pit challenge.
Some viewers have been left confused as to why they continued watching. Social media commenter @full01 said: "I am actually just watching people jump into cold water. Nothing more than that, what's going on?"
While others were particularly impressed with the BBC's newest offering. @meinirann said: "Finally, something worth paying the licence fee for. Thank you BBC One. Just need to pick my tongue up from off the floor."
While @EllenClayton11 said: "I'm loving Freeze the Fear. I’ve done an ice barrel in an outdoor health spa, but is something else completely."
- Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof airs on Tuesdays at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
