The Speidi invasion: How America's most hated couple riled the British with vitriolic Celebrity Big Brother performance

Ever since they imploded under the weight of their own sinister press stunts, you'd have been forgiven for thinking that the entity known as Speidi had disappeared for good.
If you recall, it was around three years ago that Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt (never has a last name been so apposite) reached the apogee - or nadir - of their career as America's most reviled celebrity couple.
With MTV's The Hills wrapped for good, tanned Machiavelli-in-training Spencer had been masterminding a series of press stunts to keep himself and his now wife in the spotlight.

Hated on two continents: Security has been increased for Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag after they received death threats following their behaviour on the UK's Celebrity Big Brother

Many believed this villain of villains was responsible for Heidi's extensive surgery in 2007, the result of which was to make her look like a very sad, befuddled Barbie doll.
But it was their decision to fake their own divorce that saw them finally ushered from the limelight by an embarrassed media, the lines may have been scripted on The Hills but this soulless maneuver rendered their words as worthless as their marriage certificate had seemed to them.
But like the monster at the end of a horror film that just won't die no matter how many times you hit it on the head with a shovel, Speidi are back.
The couple, who once declared their view that the 9/11 attacks were an inside job, have transplanted their twisted version of the American Dream to the British Isles where they've managed to become the most reviled reality TV contestants in history.

Obnoxious PDAs: The couple have irritated fellow guests by indulging in appropriate displays of affection

How to Win Friends and Influence People: Former pop star Claire Richards lost out on a letter from home thanks to the couple's unsporting behaviour

And it's interesting that the freer British reality TV style used on shows like Celebrity Big Brother has shone a light on an even more repulsive side of the couple.
With their dead-eyed shark stares, bitching and refusal to take part in group tasks in favour of gruesomely OTT displays of affection, Speidi Unplugged - who are competing as one - are universally hated amongst contestants and viewers alike.

They're no kind of ambassadors; in fact, the lack of manners, blatant (and very un-British) lack of sporting behaviour, Heidi and Spencer have become a caricature of the Americans abroad cliche.
The couple infuriated other contestants this week by clapping when it was revealed that Claire Richards wouldn't receive a letter from home because they'd refused to take part in a task.

The villain they love to hate: America grew tired of Spencer's nefarious ways but the British love to hate a baddie

Barbie girl: Heidi's OTT 2007 surgeries (which she admitted she regretted in yet another confessional interview) have left her looking like a sad, befuddled Barbie doll

And their support of the National Rifle Association has done little to persuade British viewers that the young couple don't embody everything that's wrong about the darker side of the home of the brave.
The situation has become so dire that after images of the couple posing with guns surfaced online, death threats started to be issued by angry Brits.
One Celebrity Big Brother viewer said: ‘I hope both Heidi and Spencer get shot in the head and die, that would be great.’
Another tweeted Heidi saying: ‘You and your fella need a bullet each between the eyes.’
Now Celebrity Big Brother bosses have been forced to increase security around the couple after they received a volley of online abuse.

Obnoxious: The couple were also tricked into sharing their unpleasant views on the other contestants by Big Brother...

All to play for: Speidi survived Wednesday's double eviction as Frankie Dettori and Trisha Penrose got their marching orders

Channel 5 chiefs have guaranteed that close protection from minders will be on hand for the couple when they get evicted, although they cruised safely through Wednesday night's double live eviction.
A crew member told the Daily Star newspaper: ‘Initially everyone seemed to love their meddling. But now it’s turned into real hatred.’

Even celebrities watching have joined the campaign against Spencer and Heidi.
Fashion presenter Gok Wan tweeted: 'Rylan has got to win. Speidi get right on my wok! X'

He even offered his suitcase packing services to help the 29 and 26-year old to get out of the country sooner.
But the British love to hate their villains so Speidi seem to be going nowhere... and for this very modern celebrity couple, no shade of limelight is unflattering.

Laughter: Even Heidi and Spencer found it funny when Rylan dressed up as Claire and she smacked him