RSPCA Shropshire supports national campaign to stop alleged 'cruelty to animals' on I'm a Celebrity

The launch of this year's programme took place last night, with the line-up including big names such as Boy George, Chris Moyles and Mike Tindall.

Every year the celebrity contestants must face a whole host of trials and challenges, which usually involve live creepy crawlies and other creatures.

But fears have been raised by the RSPCA over the treatment of the animals in live trials, particularly with this year's show returning to Australia for the first time since the pandemic.

A spokesperson for RSPCA Shropshire said: "In the programme, animals are handled roughly, crushed, overcrowded and scared – many are killed simply for entertainment.

"They are treated badly just for a quick laugh.

"The RSPCA works to stop cruelty to animals but this programme portrays animals' lives and experiences as if they don't matter.

"It makes the RSPCA's job harder when this sort of activity is condoned."

On the RSPCA website, the national campaign to stop cruelty reads: "With this year's series returning to Australia, we're more concerned than ever about the use of live animals on the show and the example it sets for viewers.

"The show's messaging and the potential to prompt people to try and copy the 'bushtucker trials' at home for entertainment is also worrying.

"And we feel that deliberately portraying certain species as nasty or frightening or as objects that can be used purely for entertainment rather than sentient, living creatures sends out totally the wrong message."

To find out more or to fill out a form in support of the campaign, visit rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaign/imaceleb.

An ITV show 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.

"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."