PETA launches Ant and Dec Halloween costumes in protest over I’m a Celebrity animal trials
Ant and Dec have become the targets of a Halloween campaign accusing I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! of turning animal suffering into entertainment.
Animal rights organisation PETA has launched limited-edition costumes depicting the presenting duo, urging viewers to challenge the ITV programme’s use of animals in its Bushtucker Trials.
The campaign, unveiled to mark the month of Halloween takes aim at challenges involving creatures including frogs, crocodiles, spiders, rats and insects.
PETA says dressing up as the television hosts offers supporters a way to raise awareness of its longstanding concerns about the treatment of animals on the show.
The organisation alleges that animals used in trials are confined, dropped and exposed to screaming and flailing contestants, putting them at risk of injury and distress.
It also objects to eating challenges involving animals’ organs, genitals and other body parts.
Unlike the celebrities, who choose to enter the jungle and are paid for taking part, PETA argues that the animals have no choice about their involvement.
In its campaign announcement, the organisation said: “After decades of suffering, it’s time for ITV to call ‘cut’ on this cruelty.”
The Halloween stunt is the latest development in a dispute that has dogged the programme for years.
PETA has previously urged Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly to step down from presenting the series, arguing that their continued involvement helps legitimise the use of animals for entertainment.
Its latest announcement highlights the killing and cooking of a rat by contestant Gino D’Acampo during filming in 2009. ITV subsequently pleaded guilty to two animal cruelty charges in Australia in 2010 and paid a fine, according to PETA.
The organisation also points to footage from 2018 showing a crocodile used in a trial with its mouth taped shut.
ITV has previously defended its approach to animal welfare.
Responding to criticism from wildlife presenter Chris Packham in November 2014, the broadcaster said: “ITV takes animal welfare very seriously and expert handlers are on hand at all times.”
In the same statement, ITV said Ant and Dec presented the programme but were not involved in devising the trials, which were created by its producers.
The programme also stopped requiring contestants to eat live insects in 2019, although live creatures continued to feature in other challenges.
PETA’s campaign calls for ITV Studios to end the use of animals in the programme altogether.
Supporters are being encouraged to combine the Halloween protest with an appeal to the broadcaster, demanding trials that entertain viewers without involving animals.
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