Panto pundit Katie Hopkins was left red-faced and flailing as a bad-tempered Channel 5 debate programme fell into disarray.

With White Dee from Channel 4 documentary series Benefits Street also due to appear on The Big Benefits Row Live's panel, pre-show hype focused on the potential for a clash between the two vilified media personalities.

But it was former Apprentice contestant Katie that attracted the most ire from fellow panellists and the studio audience, as host Matthew Wright attempted to stress on more than one occasion that there was no need for personal insults.

Katie first lost her cool after needling comments made by former face of Max Factor Annabel Giles that were hardly even picked up by microphones in the studio.

'I'll point where I like,' Katie flapped after Annabel objected to some expansive gestures.

Annabel later scolded Katie, 38, that 'adults are talking', drawing the response: 'All I hear is somebody that wanted to be a model, but didn't make it.'

Looking a little flushed, reality TV character Katie told the former I'm a Celebrity contestant to 'get a grip' during a later segment.

'You'd be really dangerous if you knew what you were talking about,' shot back 54-year-old Annabel.

Sitting in the audience, Terry Christian also delivered a knock on OTT Katie, droppi.