PETA Criticizes "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!" for Animal Exploitation

PETA has criticized the reality television show "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!" for what it calls a "relentless reign of animal exploitation," with the animal rights organization launching Halloween costumes that target hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly. The costumes aim to draw attention to the show's controversial Bushtucker trials, which involve celebrities interacting with and consuming live animals.

PETA has long campaigned against the show, asserting that "animal abuse is not entertainment." The newly designed Halloween costumes depict the presenters as perpetrators in a grim crime scene, highlighting the alleged cruelty towards frogs, crocodiles, spiders, rats, and insects that have been used in the program.

The costume, priced at £90, is available for purchase on the PETA website, with all proceeds supporting the organization's efforts to combat animal exploitation. PETA claims that behind the Halloween satire lies a history of mistreatment, citing instances where animals were confined in chambers with contestants, and animal body parts were served as food.

The show's animal usage has led to numerous complaints filed with broadcasting watchdog Ofcom. PETA has also called for Ant and Dec to resign from their roles on the program. Elisa Allen, PETA Vice President of Programmes, stated, "Unlike the celebrities who volunteer to enter the jungle, animals never sign up to be confined, terrified, or killed for a cheap laugh. PETA's Halloween costumes put Ant and Dec's complicity in the spotlight and call on ITV to cut cruelty from the script and get the animals out of there."

Past incidents have drawn significant criticism. In 2009, ITV faced prosecution in Australia after contestant Gino D'Acampo killed and cooked a rat during filming. The following year, the program pleaded guilty to two charges of animal cruelty and paid a fine. In 2018, footage emerged showing a crocodile with its mouth taped shut during a Bushtucker Trial.

In 2019, PETA criticized Ofcom for not reprimanding "I'm a Celebrity" despite 80 complaints about the use of live animals in the 2018 season. When the series was temporarily moved to the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic, the British animal welfare organization RSPCA also voiced concerns.

An "I'm a Celebrity" spokesperson previously responded to PETA by stating that the production adheres to strict environmental plans and complies with all regional and national laws regarding the use of animals. The spokesperson emphasized that animal welfare and safety are primary priorities, with qualified handlers always present during trials. They also noted that RSPCA NSW is informed of all activities and has an open invitation to attend the set. "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," the spokesperson added.

PETA urges the public to call on ITV Studios to cease the use of animals in its programming. The organization, whose motto includes "animals are not ours to use for entertainment or abuse in any other way," encourages people to visit PETA.org.uk for more information.