I’m A Celeb fans slam show for ‘cruel’ use of animals AGAIN after 71,000 ‘complaints’ last year about welfare | The Sun

I'M A Celebrity fans have slammed the show for "cruelly" using animals AGAIN – despite 71,000 'complaints' last year about welfare.

Fans have flooded social media to hit out at the ITV series for using live animals, including birds and reptiles, as well as bugs for entertainment on their shows.

I'm A Celebrity made a return on Monday night with its brand new All-Stars series filmed last year in South Africa.

The first episode saw the celebrities enter the jungle through a number of Bushtucker Trial style tasks, from jumping off of cliffs to hopping across bouncy balls 2,000ft in the air.

Janice Dickinson, Shaun Ryder and Paul Burrell were tasked in the first animal-related trial – sticking their hands into pockets full of rats, spiders and creepy crawlies.

Now just two episodes in, fans are riled up about the use of animals after hitting out against it in the last Australian series.

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Taking to Twitter, viewers slammed the use of the animals as "traumatising" and they hit out they should stop.

"I see I'm A Celeb is still traumatising animals in the name of entertainment, but because they aren't cute and fluffy, people don't give a s**t," one wrote.

Another chimed in: "I hate this. There is no need to use animals it's disgusting," while a third said: "Human narcissism takes precedence over animal welfare."

"One thing’s for sure. I’m A Celebrity cares nothing about animal welfare…" a fourth penned.

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The RSPCA also tweeted before the first show: "As a new series of I'm A Celeb launches, we fear that year again we'll see live animals being exploited for entertainment purposes."

Last year, I'm A Celeb was hit with a record number of complaints – as 71,000 people hit out over the Bushtucker Trials.

The RSPCA alone received 17,000 complaints from viewers over animals being used in the challenges.

While animal charity PETA were inundated with 54,000 complaints over animal welfare during the trials.

RSPCA chief executive Chris Sherwood said last year: “Sadly, we are once again seeing many live animals on our TV screens put in situations that could compromise their welfare for a quick laugh.

“We are also concerned at the way the programme portrays animals; it risks trivialising their lives for the sake of light 'entertainment'.

“With people discussing how scared they are, and animals portrayed in such a negative light, this programme is a long way from the RSPCA's vision of a world where all animals are respected and treated with kindness and compassion."

While PETA sent an open letter to Ant, 46, and Dec, 47, calling on the pair to quit the show over welfare concerns.

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In light of their statement, a spokesperson for I'm A Celebrity told the Daily Star: "I'm A Celebrity complies with animal welfare law concerning the use of animals and we are proud of our exemplary production practices."

I'm A Celeb South Africa continues on ITV and ITVX at 9pm

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