Chris Packham launches blistering attack at Ant and Dec over ‘grotesque’ use of animals on I’m A Celeb
CHRIS Packham has hit out at Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly about I’m A Celebrity’s “appalling abuse of animals”, saying: “My patience has run thin”.
The BBC presenter and conservationist has written an open letter to the ITV hosts, in which he launches a blistering attack on the Geordie duo.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Chris said: “Hello , I’ve written another letter to Ant and Dec about the ongoing appalling abuse of animals on the @ITV programme I’m A Celebrity.
“I’ve tried to be polite, but my patience has run thin.”
He urged Ant and Dec to ‘retweet’ if they agree.
Chris shared the letter with his 627,004 followers, which read: “Dear Ant and Dec. I hope you are both in good health.
“I have written to you before, but you have never replied so I thought I’d write again.
“My letters were polite, reasonable and constructive. This time I’ll be a little 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.”
The letter ends: “To conclude, how about you announce that from 2024 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.
“That a percentage of the programmes profits will go to proactive practical conservation and that you will present a programme to highlight that work and that you will both agree to be ambassadors influencers for prominent wildlife charities.”
Earlier this year, Chris fronted a BBC programme about his diagnosis and what life living with autism can be like.
He’s best known for hosting Springwatch with his daughter Megan McCubbin – who has also spoke out against I’m A Celebrity.
Viewers of the format see famous faces get close to Aussie critters like cockroaches, maggots and snakes and Megan and Chris both want ITV to stop using animals, insects and bugs in its trials.
Katie Price and Kim Woodburn famously swallowed kangaroo anus while George Shelley chomped on pig testicles in just some of the gruelling trials.