WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT Jamie Coots was a pastor who would handle venomous snakes during church services View 5 Images Jamie Coots was also a reality TV star (Image: NatgeoTV)

A serpent-wielding pastor who championed the reptiles on reality television died following a rattlesnake bite - after declining medical help. ‌

Jamie Coots, hailing from Kentucky in the US, featured in National Geographic's "Snake Salvation" and claimed the creatures posed no threat to faithful followers provided they were blessed by the Almighty. The 42-year-old would grasp all manner of venomous serpents, including copperheads, rattlers and cottonmouths. ‌

Despite losing half a finger and witnessing congregation members perish from bites during worship, Coots remained convinced he must handle

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