Geordie stars Ant and Dec are being asked to quit I'm A Celebrity by animal rights charity PETA.
The popular hosts have presented the ITV programme for more than 20 years and a new series is set to air from Sunday, November 6. However, PETA has published an open letter urging the stars to step down from their roles.
In the letter, signed by PETA's vice president of programmes Elisa Allen, Ant and Dec are accused of being "complicit in cruelty to animals" as various challenges include snakes, insects and other animals. It adds that their hosting of the show sends a "message to viewers that you think animal abuse is not only acceptable but also entertaining".
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The letter reads: "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."
The note adds that the show could come up with "clever and captivating tasks that harm no animals," reports The Mirror. It urges Ant and Dec to make the upcoming All Stars series of I'm A Celeb their last and says 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".
In addition, PETA says it has received more than 50,000 signatures on a petition, urging ITV to "stop abusing animals" on I'm A Celeb. The letter ends with: "So please, hang up your hats and get yourselves out of there – for animals’ sake."
A spokesperson for I'm A Celebrity told 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."
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