Ant and Dec face calls to quit from Im A Celebrity

I'm A Celeb: Ant and Dec react to cast of 2022

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Ant and Dec, who have fronted I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! for 20 years, will make a return on Sunday night with the latest instalment of the ITV series. The show will be back in Australia for the first time in two years after the pandemic prevented the cast and crew from travelling. However, the dynamic duo are facing a backlash from animal charity Peta, who believe Ant and Dec are “complicit to animal cruelty to animals on the show”.

In an open letter to the presenters, Peta called for Ant and Dec to “step down” from their presenting roles.

Over the years, the animal charity has campaigned for the show to stop using animals in their Bushtucker trials.

‘They’ve been complicit in animal cruelty now for 20 years so it has to stop,’ Peta UK’s Media and Communications Manager, Jennifer White told Metro.co.uk

In a letter sent to Ant and Dec on Thursday, the charity said: “For too long, you have been complicit in cruelty to animals on the show, and it must end.”

Peta went on to explain to the duo that a petition has been set up to stop them from using animals on the show for entertainment.

They said that for the past 20 years, the pair have watched as “animals of all descriptions are tormented – and even killed – for TV ratings.”

Peta also suggested that if Ant and Dec left the show, it would set an example to producers that using animals wasn’t acceptable.

“So please, hang up your hats and get yourselves out of there – for animals’ sake,” they concluded.

A spokesperson for ITV has since responded to Peta’s open letter, explaining they always put safety first on the show.

In a statement to Express.co.uk, the spokesperson said: “We are always fully transparent about our protocols and we have a very strict environmental plan in place on the show.

“As a production, we comply with all regional and national laws concerning the use of insects, animals and reptiles.

!Welfare and safety is always the primary priority on any of our programmes, and at any Bushtucker trial that features animals, we have qualified and experienced animal handlers on-site at all times.

“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 statement concluded: “We cannot stress enough that we have rigorous protocols in place to ensure that animals are handled safely at all times, before, during and after any filming has taken place, in compliance with all regional and national laws.”

Peta’s petition for I’m A Celebrity to stop using animals in their trials has surpassed 50,000 signatures so far.

The move has also sparked division among fans, and while some support the charity, others have defended the show.

“STOP CRUELTY ON ANIMALS,” Sole tweeted.

Defending the show, Luke Hewett said: “Oh shut up, cockroaches and spiders aren’t exactly “cruelty to animals” they’re vermin.”

While user @HNICEOO commented: “@peta telling @antanddec to quit I’m a celebrity due to animal cruelty cos snakes etc are used.

“Says the organisation that has not so clean a record.”

I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! begins tonight at 9pm on ITV.

Source: Read Full Article