27 September 2023 , 12:06
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Springwatch star Megan McCubbin has slammed I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! and has urged for a change in the show.
The BBC presenter, who hosts the show alongside her dad Chris Packham, has called out ITV bosses. The show, which is filmed in Australia, used live animals insects and bugs in its bushtucker trials.
Famous contestants take part in challenges which often involve critters like cockroaches, spiders and rats. Speaking about what she thinks of the reality show, Megan said: "I love British television; the variety of programmes and the ability for broadcasters to entertain and inform audiences all across the nation is astounding. But like anything, it has to evolve with the times. And that’s certainly the case for ITVs ‘I’m a celebrity’ which still cruelly uses live animals in its trials and associated scare-mongering language which encourages fear of those creatures.
Bugs are often used in trials (James Gourley/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)"It doesn’t have to be that way. They can easily put celebrities through their paces in other ways, and be equally entertaining, without the need of using animals. We’re at a time where we need to learn to love wildlife even more - not be encouraged to laugh at it and/or fear it. These species deserve our respect. And I’d love to invite ITV bosses, Ant and Dec, and others to rethink their strategy."
However, ITV have said they talk to the RSPCA about their trials before they take place. They 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.
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"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."