Chris Packham Booed By Showbiz Crowd At TV Choice Awards After Springwatch Host Blasts I’m A Celebrity For ‘Abusing Animals’

The presenter declined to leave the stage and said he had a "duty" to call out the ITV show.
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Chris Packham called out I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! for “abusing animals” during a speech at Monday’s TV Choice Awards.

The Springwatch presenter was booed by sections of the audience at the annual bash just minutes after Holly Willoughby had collected the Best Reality Show award for the ITV programme she stepped in to co-host last year.

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Chris Packham attends The TV Choice Awards 2019 at Hilton Park Lane on September 9, 2019 in London, England.
Lia Toby via Getty Images

After taking to the stage to collect an award on behalf of Blue Planet, Chris implored the audience of TV acting talent and producers to change their habits and help the environment - before taking a swipe at I’m A Celebrity.

To groans of discomfort from some of the audience, the Blue Planet Live presenter ended his speech by saying he had another “duty” to carry out, and asked I’m A Celebrity to change its way.

Addressing the reality show’s presenters, crew and producers directly, he said: “I’m A Celebrity, can you please think about no longer abusing animals on your programme?”

Despite prompting boos from some members of the audience, his extended speech also prompted loud applause from others.

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Holly Willoughby collected the Best Reality Show award on behalf of I'm A Celebrity at Monday evening's bash.
Matt Crossick - PA Images via Getty Images

Declining to leave the stage, he also told the audience: “Our oceans are full of plastic. The Amazon, the lungs of the world is on fire.

“We will be breathing toxic air on our way back home tonight. Toxic air that will kill thousands of people in our beloved capital

“We have to make a change. Making changes takes courage.”

He urged everyone at the dinner at The Hilton on Park Lane in London to make a small change in their daily habits to help the environment.

The presenter had previously called on TV productions to be more forthright in their environmentalism, and push a stronger message.

TV CHOICE AWARDS 2019 - WINNERS

Best Daytime Show – This Morning 

Best Actress – Jodie Comer, Killing Eve 

Outstanding Contribution to Television – Lorraine Kelly 

Best Talent Show – Britain’s Got Talent 

Best Reality Show – I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 

Best Actor – Adrian Dunbar, Line Of Duty 

Best Food Show – Gordon, Gino And Fred: Road Trip 

Best Comedy – After Life Best 

Factual Show – Blue Planet Live 

Best Drama Series – Line Of Duty 

Best Lifestyle Show – DIY SOS: The Big Build 

Best Family Drama – Call The Midlife 

Best New Drama – Bodyguard 

Best Entertainment Show – The Graham Norton Show 

Best Soap Newcomer – Kara-Leah Fernandes, EastEnders 

Best Soap Actress – Alison King, Coronation Street

Best Soap Actor – Danny Dyer, EastEnders 

Best Soap – Emmerdale