Animal rights charity PETA has penned an open letter calling for Ant and Dec to resign from I’m a Celebrity because of the shows ‘cruelty to animals’. The duo, who have fronted the hit ITV show for 22 years, have been criticised by the group previously over the mistreatment of animals in trials. But they’ve now been urged to quit the jungle altogether after a PETA petition calling on ITV to stop abusing animals on the show attracted 80,000 signatures.
Alongside the letter, PETA has named a rescued African bullfrog Rhumble – after the duo’s 1994 hit “Let’s Get Ready to Rhumble”. They say they hope the gesture will finally convince the famous presenting pair to step away from the show once and for all. Many of the show’s infamous Bushtucker Trials regularly involved the use of spiders, snakes, rats, crocodiles and other jungle critters like cockroaches.
PETA vice president of programmes Elisa Allen said: “Sadly, many frogs like Rhumble, along with countless other fascinating animals… have been tormented – and in some cases killed – on I’m a Celebrity… over the past two decades. She adds: “By leaving the jungle for good, you’ll be standing up for sentient individuals and challenging show producers to create fresh tasks instead of tired tropes.
“And you’d be in good company – nearly 80,000 supporters have signed PETA’s petition urging ITV to stop abusing animals on the show, and Ofcom reports tens of thousands of viewer complaints about the show’s abuse of animals.”
A PETA spokesperson added: “Male African bullfrogs – like Rhumble, who now lives at Hopefield Animal Sanctuary – are devoted dads who’ve been documented digging burrows in dry ponds to help their tadpoles reach water. Cruel stunts on I’m a Celebrity have included confining frogs and other animals to inescapable chambers with screaming, flailing humans; serving up animals’ genitals, organs, and other body parts for contestants to eat; and trapping and shaking spiders inside small jars before contestants attempt to eat them alive”.
Last year, PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk offered to leave her rump to the show’s producers in her will, calling I’m a Celebrity “bottom-of-the-barrel TV”.
And earlier this year, PETA animal rights protesters in frog masks crashed an ITV shareholders meeting to voice their anger at alleged animal abuse on the show.
PETA’s letter to Ant and Dec in full
Dear Dear Mr McPartlin and Mr Donnelly,
Greetings from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
We hope this riddle finds you well: who’s green, adorable, and named after one of your most popular songs? Rhumble, the rescued bullfrog!
We’ve named this beautiful frog, who now resides at Hopefield Animal Sanctuary,
after your iconic hit single, and – if we understand his croaks correctly – he’s echoing our calls for you to end your association with cruelty to animals by leaving I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!
Rhumble is an African bullfrog, one of the world’s largest frog species. They can
grow to a whopping 2 kilograms and live for up to 20 years in the wild.
Sadly, many frogs like Rhumble, along with countless other fascinating animals, including crocodiles, spiders, and ostriches, have been tormented – and in some cases killed – on I’m a Celebrity … over the past two decades.
By leaving the jungle for good, you’ll be standing up for sentient individuals and
challenging show producers to create fresh tasks instead of tired tropes.
And you’d be in good company – nearly 80,000 supporters have signed PETA’s petition urging ITV to stop abusing animals on the show, and Ofcom reports tens of thousands of viewer complaints about the show’s abuse of animals.
Male African bullfrogs are devoted dads who’ve been documented digging burrows
to usher their tadpoles to water in dry ponds.
As you’re parents yourselves, I’m sure you’ll agree that rooting for Rhumble and other animals is far more befitting of your brand than being linked to animal exploitation.
Thank you for your consideration.
Elisa Allen
Vice President of Programmes
PETA