RSPCA calls for Ofcom to step in over I’m A Celeb saying ‘animals should not be crushed and killed on TV’
I'M A Celebrity has been hit with a big complaint from RSPCA bosses over the 'killing' of animals for the show.
The animal welfare charity has even called upon supporters to lodge a complaint with the television watchdog Ofcom over the programme's use of live creatures.
In a hard-hitting campaign, the RSPCA says living creatures have been "dropped, thrown, handled roughly, chased and crushed" since I'm A Celebrity first aired in 2002.
It has even launched the hashtag '#UnhappyCampers' on social media.
The charity says: "With our previous calls for change ignored, we’re more concerned than ever about the use of live animals on the show and the example it sets for viewers.
"The show's messaging and the potential to prompt people to try and copy the 'bushtucker trials' at home for entertainment is also worrying.
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"We feel that deliberately portraying certain species as nasty or frightening or as objects that can be used purely for entertainment rather than sentient, living creatures sends out totally the wrong message."
According to the RSPCA, more than 20,000 people signed their petition to ban the use of live animals and critters on I'm A Celebrity in 2022.
But its calling for more supporters to complain to Ofcom this year.
"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," the RSPCA adds.
The new series of I'm A Celebrity kicked off on Sunday night.
Live animals were used in the first episode, with This Morning host Josie Gibson, YouTuber Nella Rose and former UKIP leader Nigel Farage being faced with live snakes after they were dropped in the outback.
Hollyoaks' Nick Pickard, US star Jamie Lynn Spears and JLS singer Marvin Humes were also covered in thousands of insects during their task.
ITV has always insisted that the show is filmed in accordance with the law, previously stating: "I'm A Celebrity complies with animal welfare law concerning the use of animals and we are proud of our exemplary production practices."
