Talk show’s spicy challenge reduces celebrities to tears

Celebrities are known for going to great lengths to protect their public personas, with glossy airbrushed magazine shoots and carefully choreographed television interviews.

Yet one of the most popular talk shows has famous guests wiping tears from their eyes and sauce from their mouths — and they are lining up to take part.

Hot Ones is a pop culture phenomenon that features celebrities eating progressively spicier chicken wings while answering increasingly personal questions from the host, Sean Evans.

The simple concept is prolific at producing viral moments and with each episode attracting millions of views on YouTube, A-list talent including Conan O’Brien, Idris Elba and Sir Lewis Hamilton are only too happy to appear in the hot seat.

Despite the runaway success of Hot Ones