Chris Packham has penned an open letter to I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’s presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly about ‘the ongoing appalling abuse of animals.’
The 62-year-old wildlife TV presenter and conservationist has revealed that while prior letters were courteous, his patience has now ‘run thin.’
He released his latest two-page letter on X, previously Twitter, in an attempt to persuade the Geordie presenters to modify the structure of the ITV series, which is taped in Australia.
Part of the introduction read: ‘I’m A Celebrity remains a grotesque blot on the reputations of both yourselves and ITV.
‘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 who doesn’t appear to give a s**t.’
He then claimed that RSPCA, who he is president for, have received 17,000 complaints about their ‘wilful abuse of animals.’
Hello , 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 pic.twitter.com/TBRCsL6Ucq
— Chris Packham (@ChrisGPackham) November 27, 2023
Chris strongly opposes the usage of animals in bushtucker challenges on I’m A Celebrity.
In the current season, Nigel Farage and Nella Rose dined at the jungle pizzeria, where they ate anything from scorpions to mealworms to win food for the camp, while Josie Gibson and Danielle Harold were covered in critters on last night’s episode. Snakes, rats, and crocodiles have also appeared in the 23 series.
His harsh words continued: ‘Without a fundamental respect for life, all life, it is difficult for those of us who care to bring enough people on board to initiate essential action to protect and actively restore the world’s wildlife.
‘I spend my life trying to engender that respect, your programme recklessly countermands that, and what’s absolutely pitiful, is that it does it for laughs. Just for amusement.’
He then questioned if it’s hilarious that 20% of the world’s monitored species are on the verge of extinction.
Dec, 48, who has young children Isla and Jack with wife Ali Astall was then directly addressed: ‘Declan, in 2019 I asked you to please think about how your daughter will perceive your actions as she grows into a world increasingly devoid of wildlife… What did she say?
‘That was four years ago, what is she saying now, aware I’m sure that her future is seriously imperilled by climate breakdown and biodiversity loss?’
Chris then hypothesised that ‘the largest single banker for ITV’ takes in £2 billion for the channel, implying that money pushes them to continue participating in the series. He also indicated that audiences need a “format change” because watching statistics are declining.
‘Look at the world, listen to the voices of concern, read the writing on the wall,’ he warned.
To end the letter, Chris offered suggestions on how the show may be improved. He wants I’m A Celebrity to promise “no more animal abuse” and instead present “an educational component that will celebrate wildlife.” He also wants ITV to give a portion of the series’ proceeds to conservation efforts.
ITV 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.
‘Welfare and safety are 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.’
Chris’ letter came after the Australian version of the series, which is shot in South Africa, changed the way animals are used.
New host Robert Irwin – the son of the late Steve Irwin – revealed: ‘I’m A Celebrity have vowed to cease all use of wildlife in the show. The entire consumptive use of wildlife is done.’
The 19-year-old, who will replace Dr. Chris Brown and work alongside Julia Morris, explained how they want to revamp the famed eating experiments on Australian chat programme The Project.
‘All the eating trials still continue, but it’s with sustainably farmed animals. They’ve got all bags to eat!’
He continued: ‘It’s a very important thing for me and I’m very proud of what we’re doing together to really hit home and lead by example with wildlife conservation in this new season.’
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! continues tonight at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
