Doug Hutchison, 52, has been labelled a “child molester” by his co-star after marrying Courtney Stodden when she was 16 years old.
Nik Richie, who is Doug’s fellow contestant on US TV show Couples Therapy slagged Hutchison and refused to shake his hand in one of the first scenes of the program.
TMZ.com reports that Doug was left upset and “deeply offended” by Nik's comments, and that the argument is causing tension among the rest of the cast.
The couple’s 35-year age gap has been a controversial subject since their marriage last year. Now, they are receiving “intense counselling” as part of the show along with five other celebrity couples.
Doug was best known for playing the abusive prison guard in the Oscar-nominated The Green Mile. He was twice divorced and battling alcoholism when he met Courtney online last year. His teen bride is a former beauty queen and aspiring actress and singer.
According to reports, Doug and Courtney have acknowledged that they have “obvious problems in their relationship because of their age difference and the notoriety they've gotten because of their relationship.”
Nik is a blogger and internet personality who is appearing in the show with his wife Shayne Lamas.
