Featured Image Credit: ITV
Topics: Im A Celebrity, Animals, TV, Celebrity
Anish Vij
I'm A Celeb viewers have expressed concerns about challenges involving animals, as some claim it 'should have been stopped years ago'.
With the likes of Coleen Rooney, N-Dubz singer Tulisa and Love Island star Maura Higgins getting to grips with life in the jungle, some campmates have already taken part in the dreaded Bushtucker Trials.
Higgins and Reverend Richard Coles successfully chewed down on a pig’s eyeballs, cockroaches and a goat’s testicle amongst other things during their recent eating trial.
However, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! viewers have been calling for an end to some of these challenges before the first episode kicked off, branding it as 'cruel', The Mirror reports.
"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," one person said on social media.
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"Ban I'm A Celeb - gratuitous violent cruelty to other creatures for entertainment!" another added.
While a third complained: "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."
And various animal welfare charities have also called for the eating challenges to be stopped.
In a statement, animal welfare charity PETA said: "Killing animals off camera before contestants are pressured into eating them - or using them in tired, tacky, and cruel stunts - must end."
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Meanwhile, the RSPCA also hit out at broadcasters last year for including 'living creatures in dangerous and unnatural situations' which might 'potentially harm animals on set and encourage possible 'copy-cat' trials by viewers at home'.
Dr Ros Clubb, Head of Wildlife, previously said: "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."
The RSPCA also urged viewers to complain about the 'worrying' actions seen on the show, adding: "While we understand that I’m a Celeb is a popular form of entertainment, we're only asking producers to stop using living creatures in this capacity."
A show spokesman said: "As a production, I’m A Celebrity… complies with all regional and national laws concerning the use of all animals, including reptiles and insects.
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"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.
"The team at I’m A Celebrity… have many years of experience in producing the show and have rigorous protocols in place to ensure that animals are handled safely before, during and after filming, in compliance with all regional and national laws. "Welfare and safety is always our primary priority."