I’m A Celeb could be forced to ditch terrifying live Bushtucker Trials due to UK’s strict laws
I'M A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! could be forced to ditch their terrifying Bushtucker Trials with live animals due to the UK's strict laws.
Earlier today it was confirmed that the reality series will be filmed in a British castle instead of an Australian jungle this year due to restrictions surrounding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
But this could spell trouble for the stomach-churning challenges that viewers have come to expect from the show, with animal welfare laws discouraging the use of creatures for TV productions.
For the past 20 series, I'm A Celeb has followed Australian's national guidelines when planning their trials around everything from critters to crocodiles - but now they will have to play by the UK rules.
The Animal Welfare Act and the Wildlife and Countryside Act will both need to be strictly adhered to, with both banning any animals being put through undue suffering.
In addition, production companies are strongly advised to go to the RSPCA's specialist performing animals team if they ever want to use creatures in fiming.
The animals rights charity offer advice and support for any TV shows or films that hope to use animals - and their website states that they will "always" encourage "alternative methods" being found.
The full statement reads: "We have a policy against the use of animals in entertainment where distress or suffering is caused or is likely to be caused.
"More generally, we don't endorse the use of animals in any form of entertainment, but if approached we will offer advice that promotes good welfare practice and can help avoid unnecessary distress and suffering.
"Our advice will always include seeking alternative methods to animal use."
The use of animals is a huge focal point in the reality show, with contestants often forced to test their endurance of traditionally "scary" animals as they fight to win food for camp.
From being buried alive in a coffin full of creatures, having to navigate tunnels and other set-ups full of bugs, snakes, or rats, and even holding animals in their mouths or on their face - when they're not being made to eat them.
The news comes after I'm A Celeb was slammed by PETA, who have begged the ITV show to "ditch cruel stunts with animals"
Director Elisa Allen said of I'm A Celeb's move from the Aussie outback: "I'm A Celebrity must change more than just continents – it needs to change its format.
"The show's been doing the same tired, tacky, and cruel stunts for years, ones it should not be able to get away with in the UK with the RSPCA watching.
"Coronavirus has taught us the devastating consequences of messing with wildlife, and ITV needs to heed that lesson."
She added: "PETA – whose motto reads, in part, that 'animals are not ours to use for entertainment' – has launched an online campaign urging ITV to scrap stunts using animals from the show and replace them with challenges suitable for this century."
ITV bosses previously axed the use of live animals in eating trials after heavy campaigning from animal charities and wildlife experts including the BBC's Chris Packham.
In the 2015 series, Towie’s Ferne McCann ate a live water spider, prompting 1,500 complaints to TV watchdog Ofcom.
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The following year some viewers vented their anger when Scarlett Moffatt scoffed a live beetle.
A show insider told us at the time: "Producers have been debating the use of live critters in the eating tasks for some time.
"Last year only beach worms were fed to the celebrities still alive but now there’s a total ban. The increased sensitivity around the subject has become too hard to ignore."
The 2020 series of I'm A Celeb will air in November from a UK castle, with hosts Ant and Dec returning as normal.