Ore Oduba teased that the Sports Relief 2018 celebrity boxing match was going to be brutal.
And the presenter wasn’t wrong, as viewers watching the bi-annual charity event on BBC One on Friday night were left feeling somewhat uneasy as they watched Love Island’s Camilla Thurlow and presenter Helen Skelton beating each other up in the ring.
The pair – who had undergone professional training ahead of the match – stepped out in silky robes as they made their way to the ring.
‘Who thought this was a good idea?’ Viewers were left feeling ‘uncomfortable’ as Helen Skelton and Camilla Thurlow violently attacked each other in no holds barred boxing match on Friday’s Sports Relief
Helen looked a little lighter about the whole event, with her rugby player husband Richie Myler cheering her on from the audience; while Camilla barely raised a smile as she strutted out, her Love Island boyfriend Jamie Jewitt ringside.
Yet it was perky Helen, 34, who reigned victorious, leaving Camilla, 28, red-faced – quite literally.
Both TV personalities were left out of breath after their three-round match, which saw them both taking quite a beating.
The spectacle left viewers at home somewhat disturbed, as the ladies attacked each other brutally.
Ready for battle: The pair – who had undergone professional training ahead of the match – stepped out in silky robes as they made their way to the ring
Violent: The match was pre-recorded, having taken place in front of a live audience at MediaCityUK, Salford
Not amused: Viewers branded the boxing ‘tasteless’ and ‘horrific’
Dubbed Helen the Hell Raiser and Thunderball Thurlow ahead of the match by MC Mark Chapman, viewers took to Twitter to remark that they found the sport an odd choice for a charity event.
‘I don’t think I can actually watch this,’ someone posted, as the event unfolded.
A second typed: ‘Anyone else uncomfortable with celebrity boxing?’
Then came a third: ‘Who thought this was a good idea?’
Foxy boxing: The concerned tweets continued as the match got more and more violent
Ringside: Camilla’s Love Island boyfriend Jamie Jewitt was sat in the stands
The concerned tweets continued as the match got more and more violent.
‘I’m feeling a bit uncomfortable watching the girls boxing,’ someone remarked, followed by another who agreed by posting ‘not sure what to think about this charity boxing match – nothing that comedic about watching one girl absolutely bash another one.’
Another comment read: ‘Call me crazy but I don’t really want to watch two people mindlessly punching each other for sport. Good cause or not.’
Somebody else penned: ‘Surely to god we’ve moved beyond beating each other up (boxing) boys or girls?’
Let battle commence: Dubbed Helen the Hell Raiser and Thunderball Thurlow ahead of the match, viewers took to Twitter to remark that they found the sport an odd choice for a charity event
Uncomfortable viewing? ‘I don’t think I can actually watch this,’ someone posted, as the event unfolded
Others praised the match, however; ‘Hats off to the 2 girls in the boxing ring on #SportRelief really went at it,’ someone penned.
‘Watching celebrity boxing instead of Scotland much better entertainment,’ came another remark.
‘That boxing on #SportRelief was amazing. Well done to both of them. Brilliant,’ a third posted.
Another wrote: ‘Just seen ten times the passion and commitment watching the #SportRelief boxing with @HelenSkelton & @CamillaThurlow . Donation duly sent.’
The match was pre-recorded, having taken place in front of a live audience at MediaCityUK, Salford.
Grand slam: A second typed ‘Anyone else uncomfortable with celebrity boxing?’
‘ Then came a third: ‘Who thought this was a good idea?
Camilla said: ‘The main thing was I had so much admiration for Helen coming in to this. Having the chance to step into the ring with her was a huge deal. I love the sport’
Having won the match, Helen said afterwards: ‘This has been tough as it’s involved taking on another personality – I have never hit anyone in the face. But I didn’t want to let my coach down, I wanted to try and do the sport justice and get the win.
‘I have been helped by so many people and I did it for them. Boxing sums up what Sport Relief is about, people helping those who might not get support elsewhere. I have fallen for the sport.’
Camilla said: ‘The main thing was I had so much admiration for Helen coming in to this. Having the chance to step into the ring with her was a huge deal. I love the sport.’
Helen said of her win afterwards: ‘This has been tough as it’s involved taking on another personality – I have never hit anyone in the face. But I didn’t want to let my coach down, I wanted to try and do the sport justice and get the win’
Here come the boys: As the evening continued, Spencer Matthews of Made In Chelsea fame took on former footballer Wayne Bridge in the ring, in what was another hard-hitting performance
Battle of the blokes: The men opted to take on the match without protective head gear, which was explained by commentator Nicola Adams as being because ‘there isn’t research currently to suggest women should not wear head guards when boxing’
Helen then joked, looking at her husband in the stands: ‘Did you get the washing done before you came out babe?’
Sport Relief, which is the UK’s biggest charity event featuring the brightest stars in sports and entertainment, saw the stars coming together with the public to engage in physical fitness activities and raise funds for people in need of aid, both in the United Kingdom and across the world.
The event is an association between Comic Relief and BBC Sport and was established in 2002.
As the evening continued, Spencer Matthews of Made In Chelsea fame took on former footballer Wayne Bridge in the ring, in what was another hard-hitting performance.
Close call: Wayne beat Spencer in their match, with the MIC star saying afterwards ‘He deserved to win for being a way better boxer than me’
Winner Wayne said: ‘Spencer was a lot better than I thought he was going to be. Stepping in that ring is ten times harder than hitting a bag’
The men opted to take on the match without protective head gear, which was explained by commentator Nicola Adams as being because ‘there isn’t research currently to suggest women should not wear head guards when boxing’.
Wayne beat Spencer in their match, with the MIC star saying afterwards: ‘He deserved to win for being a way better boxer than me!’
‘Maybe in two years time I’ll come back,’ he added, requesting a rematch.
Winner Wayne said: ‘Spencer was a lot better than I thought he was going to be. Stepping in that ring is ten times harder than hitting a bag.’
The trio of matches were rounded off with The Saturdays singer Vanessa White and S Club 7 star Hannah Spearritt.
Up next: The trio of matches were rounded off with The Saturdays singer Vanessa White and S Club 7 star Hannah Spearritt
Tables turning: Vanessa was notorious, when she took part in last year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here, for being a little nervous to take on the tasks. She redeemed herself though on Friday evening’s Sport Relief
Stepping out for sport: Natasha Hamilton and Zoe Ball were seen outside the Manchester event
Things got dicey for Vanessa at one point, when she was reprimanded by the referee for lifting her knee at one point, and told she would receive a formal warning if she did it again.
Despite this, the All Fired Up songstress won the match, seen to get emotional as she was presented with the boxing belt.
Vanessa was notorious, when she took part in last year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here, for being a little nervous to take on the tasks.
She redeemed herself though on Friday evening’s Sport Relief.
Stars come out: Megan Trainer performed at the event
Showing their support: Natalie Anderson and Sam Bailey supported the cause