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'Below Deck': James made to wear a speedo and treated like a 'piece of meat', fans slam it as 'sexual harassment'

'I really have an issue with these charter guests having James put on a speedo and taking body shots off him. Smells like sexual harassment. #BelowDeck,' a fan wrote

'Below Deck' Season 8 started with a group of highly-demanding guests, which meant oodles of drama. They knew what they wanted and they wanted a lot. After asking chef Rachel Hargrove to put together an exhaustive tasting menu that would feature dishes from a host of countries, they wanted one of the crew members to wear tiny briefs – a speedo – and lay down as they took body shots off of him. It was a birthday surprise for Lexi, one of the guests. 

Deckhand James Hough readily agreed to do it but he admitted to having been thrown into the deep end because he was not prepared to do something that extreme. As he dressed up in his shiny speedo and was ready to hit the deck with the cake, a massive fight ensued among guests over James and who would get to spend time with him. James was unaware of it all and was more than enthusiastic about being of service to the guests.

Meanwhile, fans have called the antics, said that they should not have entertained such "sexual harassment" on board. "I really have an issue with these charter guests having James put on a speedo and taking body shots off him. Smells like sexual harassment. #BelowDeck," a user commented, while another shared: "This is like sexual harassment how a guest is going to ask me to wear a Speedo like I am a piece of meat #BelowDeck." 

"Right, yachting seems to have a mixed-up view of sexual harassment. #BelowDeck," a user pointed out, while another tweeted: "Also the level of sexual harassment happening is disgusting... #BelowDeck." "Because Yachting is apparently the one place in the civilized world where sexual harassment is still allowed because the crew will get a tip. He was supposed to be "my" guy to fondle and make do degrading stuff so I can get turned on on this vacation!," a viewer expressed on a Reddit thread. "Not gonna lie I actually really wanted James to refuse to allow himself to be fully sexually harassed by these insane guests, lol," another shared.

Catch all the new episodes of 'Below Deck' Season 8 on Bravo every Monday at 9/8c. For more information, check your local information.