I’m a Celebrity's Nick Knowles accused of ‘unconscious homophobia’ after knicker row with John Barrowman

The argument sparked a social media debate after airing on ITV

(ITV)

Nick Knowles has been accused of being “unconsciously homophobic” to John Barrowman in last night's episode of I'm a Celebrity.

The British TV presenter, best known for DIY SOS, angered some fans after stating he felt uncomfortable touching underwear belonging to his female campmates but asked Barrowman to move them instead.

“I don’t feel comfortable handling women’s knickers but they are wet and need drying so would you hang them on the line?” Knowles asked the Torchwood entertainer.

Barrowman, who is openly gay, responded: “Then why is it okay for me, a gay man, to pick it up but it’s not okay for a straight man? It’s just a piece of clothing. Touching a pair of knickers doesn’t mean you want to have sex with them, there are no sexual connotations at all."

The Inbetweeners actor Emily Atack jumped to Knowles's defence, saying: “I understand how a man would feel awkward picking up a young woman’s knickers he hasn’t known for very long.“

Many viewers expressed their anger with Knowles, with one accusing him of “unconscious homophobia” on social media.

"The fact that Nick Knowles asked John to move those knickers is typical straight ignorance,“ @MrDanPowers wrote, while @farth64 asked: ”If it were really about being old-fashioned, why ask John to pick up the girl's knickers? Why not ask the girl?"

Another user, @lesta_lad, wrote: "Nick said its weird for 'a man' to pick up [a] lady's knickers. So why ask John Barrowman? John is male, is he not?"

Some defended Knowles with @MelonySnickett arguing he hadn't asked John based on his sexuality, but "because he was nearest."

User @AmyLaurens_ said: "Maybe John has washed them before n Nick asked him cause he's obv not fussed. No need to make it homophobic when we don't know the full story! [sic]."

This year's contestants include The Chase star Anne Hegarty, former X Factor sensation Fleur East and television legend Noel Edmonds who is said to have signed up after scoring a record fee from ITV.

You can find a full list of the campmates in our gallery below.

I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! continues nightly on ITV at 9pm