ITV bosses have been targeted by the RSPCA and PETA after yesterday’s challenge saw a camel dressed in a Donald Trump-style wig and pigeons and insects feature in a creature-infested Fright House.
RSPCA representatives called for viewers to complain, telling The Mirror: “We don’t approve of any use of animals in entertainment that causes distress or suffering.
“We would encourage animal lovers who are concerned about this trial to contact the programme makers and/or OFCOM,” the spokesperson added.
Meanwhile, Elisa Allen, director of PETA, also blasted: “The producers of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! must be stuck in a time warp, because most people are not amused by crude animal stunts.
“We urge the producers to listen to viewers’ calls to scrap these stupid stunts and replace them with animal-free challenges more suited to this decade,” she said.
ITV have responded to the criticism over the use of animals in the challenges saying: “As a production, I’m A Celebrity complies with all regional and national laws concerning the use of insects, animals and reptiles.
“We inform the RSPCA NSW of all of our activities on the show and they have an open invitation to attend the site at any time,” a spokesperson for the broadcaster continued. “At each of the Bushtucker Trials which feature animals or insects, we have qualified and experienced animal and insect handlers on site and every trial has been carefully tested and developed.”
The controversy comes after years of complaints about the programme from animal-lovers.
Springwatch favourite Chris Packham begged Ant and Dec to put an end to the “abuse of animals” on the show back in 2014.
In an open letter in the Radio Times, Chris said that teaching young fans that killing for “exploitative ‘entertainment’ is acceptable” is “a shame that I imagine neither of you will want to take to your graves”.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! continues tonight at 9.10pm on ITV.
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