Calls for Ant and Dec to quit I’m A Celebrity after open letter goes viral

A new petition is calling for Ant and Dec to be axed from their presenting roles on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! as a scathing letter emerges.

While the Geordie presenters have fronted the ITV reality show since its debut in 2002, some viewers are evidently not too impressed with the role they play in some of the infamous Bushtucker Trials, and are calling for them to be axed from the show entirely.

Animal rights charity PETA have published an open letter and petition that accuses Ant and Dec of being ‘complicit in cruelty to animals’ on the programme.

The petition, written by PETA’s Vice President of Programmes Elisa Allen, says the show sends a ‘message to viewers that you think animal abuse is not only acceptable but also entertaining’.

ITV

It reads: “For twenty years, you have been complicit in the ‘Bush Tucker Trials’, standing by as animals of all descriptions are tormented – and even killed – for TV ratings.

“In this time, you must surely have become aware of the suffering, discomfort, and fear that these unwilling participants endure during the challenges.

“Ostriches, crocodiles, snakes, rats, and thousands of insects have been exploited for the show’s puerile pranks – and we fear that the upcoming series will be no different.”

It also adds that that the show could come up with ‘clever and captivating tasks that harm no animals’. 

The petition, which PETA claims has over 50,000 signatures, goes on to urge Ant and Dec to make the upcoming All Stars series of I’m A Celebrity their last, saying the move ‘would signal to the show’s producers that people aren’t going to stand for senseless cruelty to animals anymore and that it’s time to change’. 

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

A spokesperson for I’m A Celebrity has since responded to the petition, telling The Mirror: “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.

“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.”