Strictly's Shirley Ballas had a tense disagreement with Mel B during a Celebrity Bear Hunt debate. Tensions escalated in the third episode when Shirley grew frustrated with Mel B's tendency to make provocative remarks to fellow campmates before brushing them off as jokes. Shirley explained: "I can let somebody be a diva for so long until I feel someone else is being picked on. I've dealt with divas in my industry all my life. There's nothing that could shock me.".

She went on to say: "But when you're living together and can't retreat to your own home, all you ask for is mutual respect. If someone keeps pushing buttons just to get a reaction, I don't like that. I think it's completely unnecessary—though I know it makes great TV!". "If somebody's pushing someone's buttons and trying to get reactions out of people, I don't like that. I think it's totally unnecessary, but I know it makes great TV!," she told WhattoWatch.

Tensions escalated even further in the fourth episode when Shirley's team defeated Mel's team in a challenge called Walk The Plank, where contestants had to cross water filled with critters. The Spice Girl was not pleased and made her feelings known to Shirley when they returned to camp later that day. The campmates were discussing the challenge they had just completed, but there were no clear rules, leading to chaos when they returned. Shirley, who was one of the participants in the "Walk the Plank" challenge, became involved in a tense exchange with Mel. Mel said to Shirley: "We all have to go in the pit sometimes," to which Shirley responded, "Excuse me?" Mel repeated her comment, and Shirley asked, "What's the matter with you?".

Shirley then explained: "Of course, I'm not here complaining, whining, or moaning. I'm not going to go in, so I don't really know what your point is." The two spoke over each other, with Mel defending her position. Mel said: "I'm just talking to you." Shirley shot back, "Well, you don’t really talk, do you? You direct, you're in somebody's face." Mel replied: "I know because I'm just who I am.". Shirley responded: "You're not exactly the most deliverable of messages, Mel." To which Mel said: "Neither are you." Celebrity Bear Hunt is a reality competition series set to premiere on Netflix on today. Hosted by Holly Willoughby, the show features twelve celebrities who venture into the Costa Rican jungle, where they become the targets of survival expert Bear Grylls. The contestants must navigate the challenging environment, complete various survival tasks, and evade capture by Grylls.

The celebrity participants in Celebrity Bear Hunt include a diverse mix of personalities, such as Mel, Boris Becker, the retired tennis champion; and Steph McGovern, a renowned journalist and television presenter. Other notable stars include Shirley, Una Healy, a former member of The Saturdays, and Lottie Moss, a fashion model. The lineup also features actors like Joe Thomas, known for The Inbetweeners, and Kola Bokinni, recognized for his role in Ted Lasso.