I’m A Celebrity has been slammed by animal charity PETA once again, branding the show ‘idiotic’ for it’s ‘abusive’ use of critters in the jungle.

On Sunday, 12 celebrities will be entering the jungle and taking part in terrifying Bushtucker Trials, involving plenty of animals.

Celebrities have often had to eat animal parts during some of the trials with Katie Price and Kim Woodburn memorably chowing down on fish eyes, cockroaches and a kangaroo testicle in the 2009 series. 

Global animal charity PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, has been incredibly vocal about the show’s use of animals, claiming they shouldn’t be used in tasks designed to grab viewers. 

PETA’s Vice President of Programmes Elisa Allen has hit out at producers for ‘sending a message that abusing animals is acceptable or entertaining’.

I’m A Celebrity has been slammed by animal charity PETA once again, branding the show ‘idiotic’ for it’s ‘abusive’ use of critters in the jungle (Sam Thompson pictured in 2023)

On Sunday, 12 celebrities will be entering the jungle and taking part in terrifying Bushtucker Trials, involving plenty of animals (Harry Redknapp pictured in 2018)

She said: ‘Despite knowing the suffering, discomfort, and fear that the unwilling animal participants endure during the show’s idiotic challenges, ITV seems perfectly happy to continue to send the dangerous message that abusing animals is acceptable or even entertaining.

‘But it isn’t funny to see shy snakes shrink away from celebrities’ shrieks or cockroaches confined to an inescapable chamber with a flailing human.

‘Treating animals like inanimate props for puerile pranks ignores all we’ve learned about the other remarkable beings we share the world with. 

‘PETA urges viewers to change the channel on this circus until producers get animals out of there.’

A show spokesman for I’m A Celeb said: ‘As a production, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! complies with all regional and national laws concerning the use of all animals, including reptiles and insects. 

‘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. At each of the Bushtucker Trials which feature animals, we have qualified and experienced animal handlers on site.

‘The team at I’m A Celebrity… have many years of experience in producing the show and have rigorous protocols in place to ensure that animals are handled safely before, during and after filming, welfare and safety is always our primary priority.’

In May, animal rights protesters in frog masks crashed an ITV shareholders meeting to protest what they claimed was the suffering of animals on I’m A Celebrity.

PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, has been incredibly vocal about the show’s use of animals, claiming they shouldn’t be used in tasks designed to grab viewers (Ferne McCann pictured in 2015)

PETA’s Vice President of Programmes Elisa Allen has hit out at producers for ‘sending a message that abusing animals is acceptable or entertaining’ (Nigel Farage pictured last year)

The show has used animals in many of their trials since its first series in 2002 (Emily Atack pictured in 2018)

Animal rights group PETA crashed ITV shareholders meeting in May to protest what they claimed was the suffering of animals on I’m A Celebrity 

The show has used animals in many of their trials since its first series in 2002. 

In 2021 the show reportedly saw more than 13,000 complaints over the use of animals with the RSPCA saying they are ‘concerned’ with the way I’m A Celebrity ‘portrays’ animals.

Before they were frog-marched out, the protesters from PETA peacefully disrupted ITV’s meeting in London, telling the broadcaster’s shareholders animals ‘deserve better than to be used in cruel stunts’. 

Holding a banner that read ‘ITV: It’s Cruelty to Animals… Get It out of I’m a Celeb!’, the demonstrators Molly Elsdon and Lucy Ferguson, both 26, said: ‘Animal abuse is not entertainment.

‘Frogs and other animals deserve better than to be used in cruel stunts to boost TV ratings. ITV – drop animal abuse from I’m A Celebrity. It’s animal suffering.

‘Twenty-three years of cruelty is 23 years too long.’

After the demonstration today, Molly told MailOnline: ‘Each season of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here brings further cruelty to our screens, as animals of all descriptions continue to be bullied and even killed for the show’s tacky challenges. 

‘People are rightly outraged, and I hope today’s action causes ITV executives to sit up, take notice – and finally do away with the abusive stunts.’ 

I’M A CELEBRITY 2024: MEET THE ALL STAR LINE UP

OTI MABUSE  

Oti Mabuse has already two Strictly glitterballs under her belt

AGE: 34

OCCUPATION: Professional dancer

FAMOUS FOR: Oti is best known for being a professional dancer on the British television series Strictly Come Dancing, which she won in 2019 and 2020. 

DANNY JONES 

Danny Jones is one of the bookies’ favourites to win this year’s I’m A Celeb

AGE: 38

OCCUPATION: McFly singer

FAMOUS FOR:  Danny is one of the lead vocalists and the lead guitarist for pop-rock band McFly. 

He is also a coach on The Voice UK. 

BARRY MCGUIGAN 

Former boxer Barry McGuigan is heading into the jungle

AGE: 63

OCCUPATION: Retired professional boxer

FAMOUS FOR:  Barry was nicknamed The Clones Cyclone and held the WBA and lineal featherweight тιтles from 1985 to 1986. 

GK BARRY

GK Barry is a TikTok star who recently joined the ITV family on Loose Women

AGE: 25

OCCUPATION: TikTok star 

FAMOUS FOR: Grace is known for her comedic commentary on culture, lifestyle, and fashion. She has over 3.6 million followers and recently joined the Loose Women panel. 

DEAN MCCULLOUGH 

ITV bosses are hoping Dean McCullough will ruffle feathers in the camp

AGE: 32

OCCUPATION:  Radio 1 DJ 

FAMOUS FOR:  Radio 1 DJ Dean has been signed by I’m A Celeb bosses, in the hope that he will ruffle feathers with his outspoken views. 

Earlier this year it was announced Dean would be taking over the BBC Radio 1 Early Breakfast Show, after previously fronting the afternoon slot.  

JANE MOORE  

Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women

AGE: 62

OCCUPATION: Journalist

 FAMOUS FOR:  Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women between 1999 and 2002. 

She returned as a regular panellist from 2013 onwards.

Jane takes on the challenge following her high-profile split from husband of 20 years, Showbiz agent, Gary Farrow. 

MELVIN ODOOM  

Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021

AGE: 44

OCCUPATION: DJ and TV presenter

FAMOUS FOR: His work on radio. Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021, but turned down the offer at the last minute.

He also had a primetime stint on Strictly back in 2016.

COLEEN ROONEY 

Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history

AGE: 38

OCCUPATION: WAG

FAMOUS FOR: Wagatha Christie case against arch rival Rebekah Vardy.

Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history, exceeding Nigel Farage’s £1.5million from last year.

ALAN HALSALL  

Alan Halsall is best known for his role as Tyrone Dobbs on Coronation Street

AGE: 42

OCCUPATION: Actor 

FAMOUS FOR: Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall was forced to withdraw from I’m A Celeb last year, after undergoing ACL Reconstruction surgery.

Bosses have now convinced the actor to sign up again, and no doubt he will draw in a huge fanbase thanks to his long-running role as Tyrone Dobbs on the soap. 

TULISA  

Tulisa is making her career comeback after reuniting with N-Dubz last year

AGE: 36

OCCUPATION: Singer and former X Factor judge 

FAMOUS FOR: Tulisa reunited with N-Dubz last year for a tour after first finding fame with the band in 2007.

In 2011, she became a judge on The X Factor and went on to launch her debut solo album, The Female Boss. 

She released her fourth album with N-Dubz last year.