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Channel 4's new social experiment, Handcuffed: Last Pair Standing, descended into chaos after a contestant who earlier sparked outrage over comments about Hitler dramatically quit the show - ripping off his handcuffs just 12 hours into filming. Sir Benjamin Slade, 79, the 7th Baronet of Maunsel, had already stunned viewers after defending a painting by Adolf Hitler in his Somerset estate But the controversy didn't stop there. As tensions escalated behind the scenes, Benjamin reportedly demanded access to his mobile phone - only to be told by producers that phones are strictly banned under the rules of the game.

The refusal triggered an explosive meltdown. Benjamin stormed downstairs topless, dragging his reluctant partner George - a 60-year-old retired prison officer - still shackled to him. As he was pulled along, George was heard protesting: "I'm not a Jack Russell." Benjamin then demanded bolt cutters from his household staff and physically cut the handcuffs off himself and George - ending their time on the show after just 12 hours.

In the scuffle, a member of the production team was heard saying: "Please do not push me and take your hand off my camera."

Benjamin later addressed the camera directly, declaring he would not be dictated to in his own home and insisting he was "not a p***y."

The pair were the first to be eliminated formt he competition, with George telling viewers he was "proud" of his behaviour.

Fan reaction was swift. One viewer blasted: "Poor George, handcuffed to a bigot, who was friends with Father Jack, not sure why anyone still works for him. How is anyone allowed to own a Hiltler painting"

Another penned: "Sir Tom. You lasted more than I would that George was an utter melt. Respect your elders and respect other people in their own house. What a mute George was" and "Well done, George. Great morals & a strong backbone to call out injustice. Showed up the aged snowflake when challenged & turn Ben into Sir Karen".

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The controversy erupted earlier in the episode when Sir Benjamin gave George a tour of his 14th-century Somerset estate and revealed a painting by Adolf Hitler hanging on the wall.

ttempting to defend it, Benjamin said: "That is just German art you've got to respect it." George was visibly furious at the remark.

"That is a horror of a human being, it belongs in the toilet. Don't you see that that's abhorrent to other people?" he hit back.

Rather than backing down, Benjamin insisted: "I think people need to see that he could paint." He also claimed Hitler was "very good with children, dogs and loved to paint."

The exchange sparked immediate backlash online, with viewers branding the comments shocking and inappropriate for primetime television.

One outraged fan wrote: "How can Benjamin say Hitler was good with children when he killed so many?" and "Hitler. Great with kids, dogs & loved painting. Lovely fella!".

While another fumed: "Having a painting from Adolf Hitler in your house is absolutely disgusting."