ITV viewers switch off Shark Celebrity Infested Waters as they brand it 'unwatchable'

ITV's new celebrity reality show has launched, but TV fans didn't appear to be sold on the concept of SHARK! Celebrity Infested Waters.

The new TV show premiered on ITV1 on Monday (14th July), with seven celebrities heading to The Bahamas to participate in a dive expedition with three world-renowned shark experts.

The aim is for the stars to dive with sharks in their natural environment in a bid to appreciate the animals and be less fearful of them. The famous team is made up of Sir Lenny Henry, Helen George, Lucy Punch, Rachel Riley, Ade Adepitan, Dougie Poynter and Ross Noble.

Each celebrity had their own fears regarding the sharks, or in Call the Midwife star Helen's case, water altogether, but they each entered the experience with an open mind.

Despite SHARK! Celebrity Infested Waters offering a new concept and a star-studded cast, TV fans at home weren't overly impressed with the programme, with some even threatening to switch it off.

Taking to social media, viewers complained that the show was "unwatchable" and "far too dangerous" to be shown.

One person said: "Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters is single proof that television is at an all time pointless low. #sharkcelebrityinfestedwaters," while another added: "This is pretty much unwatchable because there's one celebrity on there who wants the entire programme to be about 'me me me'."

"Helen George on Celeb Shark programme. Annoying. Dont go on it. Thats it for me. Cant believe Im turning off a programme that has Rachel Riley on it," a third ITV viewer commented.

Elsewhere, somebody else wrote: "This celebrity shark thing shouldn't be shown its far too dangerous one of them have already been bit! @ITV stop showing this now! This can cause panic attacks."

However, others revealed they'd enjoyed watching the ITV show, branding it "amazing".

One person said: "I enjoyed SHARK! Celebrity Infested Waters more than I thought I would," as a second agreed, saying: "Shark! Celebrity infested waters is amazing!! How beautiful those sharks look and the sea is incredible."

ITV's latest celebrity-focused programme, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of iconic film JAWS, has proven to be divisive with TV fans, much like the contestants.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Ross admitted: "When I first heard about it, I thought it was a wind-up," but Countdown's Rachel said she saw it as "the chance of a lifetime."

Summing up her experience on the programme, actress Lucy added: "While it was incredible, I don't think I'll ever do shark diving again."

SHARK! Celebrity Infested Waters airs on Mondays on ITV1 at 9pm. The full series can be watched on ITVX.