I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! stars will no longer eat live bugs in Bushtucker Trials following campaigns against animal cruelty
Contestants will no longer be given live insects to eat during the Bushtucker trial on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
Sources told MailOnline that ITV bosses have decided only to serve dead bugs during the infamous trial following campaigns against animal cruelty by charities, wildlife experts, and BBC’s Chris Packham.
Explaining their decision, they said: ‘No live critters will be eaten in the Bush Tucker Trials this year.
Banned: I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! stars will no longer eat live bugs in Bushtucker Trials (pictured: Harry Redknapp holding bugs in his mouth)
‘Producers have taken a look at the Trials and decided that no live critters would be eaten in the Trials this year.
‘They have been planning this for some time and actually last year beach worms were the only critters eaten live but this time around they’ve decided to implement the change fully and permanently.’
It is also understood that though live bugs will not be eaten, ‘holding’ trials such as the one Harry Redknapp endured last year in which he had to hold live bugs in his mouth for a certain period of time will still take place.
Celebrities will also still be covered in bugs and critters, and they will also have to eat dead creepy crawlies during their time in the jungle.
Comment: ITV bosses have decided only to serve dead bugs, and said they’ve ‘been planning this for some time’ (pictured Ferne McCann eating live water spider in 2015)
Packham previously branded the killing of insects for the sake of entertainment as something out of the Middle Ages, and called for ITV to alter their attitude.
During the 2015 series, Ferne McCann had to eat a live water spider which led to 1500 complaints being made to Ofcom.
While, in the following series, Scarlett Moffat had to eat a live beetle during one of the Bushtucker trials.
Still happening: It is understood that though live bugs will not be eaten, ‘holding’ trials will still take place, and celebrities can expect to be covered in bugs and critters on the show
On Saturday, The Sun reported that the campfire would be replaced by a gas stove as a result of the horrific bush fires raging across east Australia.
An ITV spokesman told the publication: ‘In light of the current situation in Australia, I’m A Celebrity will not feature an open camp fire.
‘Instead, campmates will cook their food and boil their water on a specially made gas stove.’
I’m A Celebrity kicks off on Sunday 17 November at 9pm on ITV.