Fans of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here are calling for the show to ditch its animal-based challenges, labelling them as “disgusting.”
The ITV programme, set in the Australian bush, has previously been criticised by the RSPCA for what they consider the “mistreatment” of animals. The show is notorious for making celebrities eat items like camel penis and pig testicles, as well as live insects.
Now, viewers are voicing their concerns that ITV might intensify these aspects for entertainment purposes, prompting calls for such trials to be scrapped, reports the Mirror.
On social media, one viewer expressed: “Never watched this s***, and never will. The cruelty to/exploitation of wildlife here for human entertainment is beyond disgusting. There’s NO justification for it, and this show should have been stopped years ago.”
Another added: “Ban I’m A Celeb – gratuitous violent cruelty to other creatures for entertainment!”
A third shared: “I can think of way more than five reasons, this drivel is SO wrong on so many levels – but OK this is just a start.”
Additionally, charity Project the Wild joined the debate online, criticising the show for using “invasive species is wrong” and claiming that “depicting animals as objects was inhumane.”
Last year, the RSPCA criticised the broadcaster for allowing “living creatures in dangerous and unnatural situations” that could “potentially harm animals on set and encourage possible ‘copy-cat’ trials by viewers at home”.
Dr Ros Clubb, Head of Wildlife, previously stated: “Programmes like ‘I’m A Celebrity’ are still flagrantly disregarding the welfare of animals in the interest of a quick thrill and there’s currently nothing in the Broadcasting Code to dissuade them.”
Dr Ros further commented: “Ahead of the show’s finale, anyone who agrees with us can back our calls for change on the RSPCA website. In the last four years, we’ve seen 60,000 sign-ups to our campaign – with more than 41,000 contacting Ofcom, and approximately 20,000 complaining to ITV. We are calling for the Broadcasting Code to be urgently evaluated and strengthened in order to help protect animals from mistreatment and abuse.”
The charity also said: “Just weeks after the Online Safety Act came into force, including new measures on policing animal cruelty content online, it’s clear we need further action on Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code too.”
Since the programme first aired in 2002, the RSPCA has been outspoken about the “mistreatment” of animals.
This year, the programme is scheduled to broadcast on November 17 and will showcase a host of familiar faces including Loose Women’s Jane Moore, N-Dubz and ex X Factor judge Tulisa, along with WAG Coleen Rooney. Other celebrities include former professional pugilist Barry McGuigan, YouTuber GK Barry, TV and radio host Melvin Odoom and Corrie’s beloved Alan Halsall.
With the plank challenge now scrapped from the show, the celebrities they will instead race into the jungle. The victors will reign over the camp.
The stars are reportedly set to select their partners for the challenge based on fitness and stamina. The challenge has been dubbed Snakes and Ladders.
I’m A Celebrity..Get Me Out of Here! airs Sunday on ITV and ITVX from 9pm