I’m A Celeb: More than 50,000 people signed a petition to urge hosts Ant and Dec to quit the show

I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! has finally returned to our screens after the much-awaited return to the Australian jungle after the pandemic. While many people are ecstatic about its return, some people feel the hosts – Ant and Dec – should quit the series to show support for PETA.

Quit animal cruelty

Animal rights charity PETA published an open letter and an online petition – that received more than 50,000 signatures – urging Ant and Dec to quit the show due to some of its trials. The two have been hosting the show for 20 years, however, PETA's Vice President of Programmes Elisa Allen has accused the series of being ‘complicit in cruelty to animals.’

Since most of the tasks in the jungle include animals, PETA believes Ant and Dec hosting the show sends a wrong message. It not only promotes that animal abuse is acceptable but also showcases that it’s entertaining, reported Manchester Evening News. The letter added:

For 20 years, you have been complicit in the 'bushtucker 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.

Ant and Dec quitting the show would show producers ‘that people aren’t going to stand for senseless cruelty to animals anymore and that it’s time to change.’

Show bosses’ plans

Meanwhile, a spokesperson of the show has insisted that ‘welfare and safety’ have been the show’s first priority always and there are ‘qualified animal handlers’ on the site all the time. The source added:

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.

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.

Source Used

Manchester Evening News: ITV I'm A Celeb viewers call for Ant and Dec to QUIT show after scathing letter emerges