Chris Packham shares angry letter to Ant and Dec over ‘appalling’ I’m A Celeb
Chris Packham has published an open letter on Twitter imploring Ant and Dec to react to his allegations that I’m A Celebrity “exploits animals for entertainment”.
Naturalist Chris stated that the RSPCA had received 17,000 complaints last year about the show’s “wilful abuse of animals” and “reinforcement of negative stereotypes”, as he urged the duo to make a change.
The 62-year-old Autumnwatch star took to Twitter (X) to declare to his 627,000 followers: “I’ve written another letter to @antanddec about the ongoing appalling abuse of animals on @ITV programme @imacelebrity.
“I’ve tried to be polite but my patience has run thin . If you agree with what it says please RT. #ImACeleb.”
Animals like rats and reptiles have been incorporated into Bushtucker Trials over the years, causing concern for some. Contestant Ferne McCann, for example, once ate a live spider on the show in 2015.
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ITV responded to the ongoing criticism last year, with a spokesperson stating: “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.”
However, Chris told Ant and Dec in his letter that he was “sick of your perceived disregard for animal welfare”.
“I have written to you before but you have never replied so I thought I’d write again,” he began, stating that previous letters were “polite, reasonable, and constructive” but that he’s now ready to be more “frank” and “forthright”.
“I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here remains a grotesque blot on the reputations of both yourselves and ITV,” Chris continued.
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“Its continued exploitation of animals for entertainment is an anachronistic embarrassment and betrays a dangerous disconnect between a world increasingly concerned with an environmental crisis, and a reckless and marginalised part of the media which doesn’t appear to give a s**t.”
He provided a statistic stating that 28 percent of the world’s species were facing extinction, quizzing the pair: “Is that funny? Is that a laugh?”
Branding the show “absolutely pitiful”, he went on to question Dec on how his four-year-old daughter would see the situation as she grows up.
Chris also referenced a recent slump in viewing figures and suggested that the show could do with a “change of format” to revive it.
“How about from 2024 you announce that there will be no more abuse of animals for entertainment, that instead there will be an educational component which will celebrate wildlife and its conservation?” he requested.
He added that he would like to see a percentage of the programme’s profits go towards “proactive practical conservation”.
Chris also vowed to “loan my binoculars” to the duo if they’d present a show highlighting the work they’ve done, and become “ambassadors and influencers for prominent wildlife charities”.
Although Chris was inundated with support for his cause from some of his Twitter (X) followers, Ant and Dec are yet to respond.
ITV and representatives for Ant and Dec have been approached for comment.
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