Jane McDonald Clarifies Elephant Ride Comments Following Backlash To Cruising Series

"The programme could have been a little more clear."

Jane McDonald has spoken out to clarify comments she made about elephant rides on her Channel 5 Cruising series, following a backlash. 

The former Loose Women panellist sparked controversy when some viewers believed she had endorsed riding the animal during the most recent episode of Cruising With Jane McDonald, which saw her visit India. 

The show saw Jane travelling through the streets of Jaipur when she encountered a local riding an elephant. 

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Jane McDonald visited India during the most recent episode of her Bafta-winning Cruising series
Channel 5

She was then heard saying: “Nowadays there are government guidelines for how elephants are treated and cared for.

“It’s a steep walk up the hill to get to the fort so I would definitely recommend getting a ride unless you are feeling particularly fit.”

Many believed Jane was recommending riding up on the back of the elephant, and was condemned by charities including Ethical Bucket List and Save The Asian Elephants, who claimed her “damaging” comments ignored “the brutality involved and dangers to tourists largely suppressed by travel companies”. 

However, Jane – who was not seen riding an elephant on the show – has now insisted she was not endorsing the controversial activity. 

She said in a statement: “The programme could have been a little more clear. I was not recommending elephant rides at all, which I find a horrible abuse of animals.”

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The practise of riding elephants is common in India, but is seen as highly controversial
NurPhoto via Getty Images

A Channel 5 spokesperson clarified her comments further, explaining her reference to “rides” were about the jeep she was seen travelling in. 

They told The Mirror: “The rides being ­recommended were jeep rides, as taken by Jane herself. We accept this wasn’t as clear as it could be.

“Neither Jane, the programme nor Channel 5 were condoning riding elephants in India.”

'Loose Women': Where Are They Now?
Jane McDonald(01 of16)
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In what was quite an unexpected move, former cruise ship singer Jane took over as Grizabella in a UK touring production of 'Cats'. The role was previously held by Pussycat Dolls singer, Nicole Scherzinger.

In 2017, she returned to TV with her own Channel 5 series called 'Cruising With Jane McDonald'. She continues to tour the country as a singer, playing numerous concert halls and holiday villages.
(credit:Twitter/Jane McDonald)
Carol McGiffin(02 of16)
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Having been on the panel for 10 years before quitting in 2013, she was one of the longest-serving 'Loose Women' of all time.

After revealing that she was recovering from breast cancer on 2015, Carol has made several appearances on UK television, most notably on 'Big Brother's Bit On The Side'.

She has also admitted she wouldn't mind returning to the show - but only if they got rid of some of the current line-up first. Ouch
(credit:Keith Hewitt via Getty Images)
Denise Welch(03 of16)
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Since leaving the world of presenting behind when she walked out of 'Loose Women' in 2013, Denise has returned to her first love of acting, starring in a theatre production of 'Steel Magnolias', as well as two series of BBC Two sitcom, 'Boy Meets Girl'.

She also had a two-episode stint as Kyle Slater's mum Alison in 'EastEnders' in 2016.
(credit:BBC)
Lisa Maxwell(04 of16)
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Lisa quit 'Loose Women' shortly after Carol McGiffin and Denise Welch, claiming it was "not the same show" as when she first joined.

She had a brief story arc in 'EastEnders' as the lover of David Wicks in 2013, and has since joined the cast of 'Hollyoaks' as Grace Black's mother, Tracey.

In 2016, she also played Judy Garland in the UK tour of 'End of the Rainbow'.
(credit:BBC)
Lesley Garrett(05 of16)
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Opera singer Lesley released her 16th album, 'Centre Stage' in 2015, which saw her covering a host of songs from musical theatre. Sadly, where was not a duet of 'I Know Him So Well' with Jane McDonald. (credit:John Snelling via Getty Images)
Beverley Callard(06 of16)
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During her break from 'Coronation Street' days, 'Loose Women' viewers might remember seeing Beverley on the panel for a time, during which she also married her husband, Jon McEwan.Now, of course, Beverley is back where she belongs, behind the bar of the Rover's Return, as Liz McDonald. (credit:ITV)
Carol Vorderman(07 of16)
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It's safe to say Carol Vorderman isn't exactly sitting round with her feet up since departing from 'Loose Women' in 2014. In fact, Vorders is away from our screens an increasing amount at the moment, while she prepares to fly solo around the world with her plane, Mildred, after acquiring her pilot's license.

Although, fans were delighted and shocked in equal measure when Carol signed up for 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!' in 2016, eventually finishing eighth.
(credit:Twitter/Carol Vorderman)
Kate Thornton(08 of16)
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Kate told The Sun that she had enrolled in a counselling course after being fired from 'Loose Women' in 2011, due to the fact her TV career had "hit the curb". That said, she has hosted the 'Strictly Come Dancing' live tour, and even had her own show on BBC Radio 2, titled 'Paper Cuts'.

The former 'X Factor' host took a rather unexpected move in 2016, when she launched cashback site TBSeen, with the help of pals including Myleene Klass, Amanda Byram, Denise Van Outen, Lisa Faulkner and Tamzin Outhwaite,
(credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
Sally Lindsay(09 of16)
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Like Denise, former 'Corrie' actress Sally has returned to acting since leaving 'Loose Women'. She has a leading part in the Sky series, 'Mount Pleasant', and took on a meatier role in the BBC drama, 'Ordinary Lies' in 2015, opposite Jason Manford, Jo Joyner and Michelle Keegan. (credit:BBC)
Cilla Black(10 of16)
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After a career in the entertainment industry spanning six decades, Cilla sadly died in August 2015, after suffering a fall while on holiday at her home in Spain.The week of her funeral, her greatest hits collection 'The Very Best Of Cilla Black' topped the UK album chart. (credit:Paul Hampartsoumian/REX)
Sarah Milican(11 of16)
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In her post-'Loose' career, Sarah has gone on to become one of the UK's leading and most loved stand-up comedians, even landing her own comedy series, 'The Sarah Millican Television Programme'. In 2015, she married her fellow stand-up, Gary Delaney. (credit:Brian J Ritchie/Hotsauce/REX)
Myleene Klass(12 of16)
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She may no longer be living the 'Loose' life, but just try and keep Myleene away from telly. In 2015 alone she's appeared on Dictionary Corner on 'Countdown' and hosted 'BBQ Champ', and filmed a new documentary, 'Singing In The Rainforest', which saw her making music with indigenous tribespeople.

Myleene continues to work as a designer for Littlewoods, releasing her own line of lingerie.
(credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Lynda Bellingham(13 of16)
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The great Lynda Bellingham sadly died in 2014, after a battle with colon cancer, but spent her last months trying to raise awareness of the disease, including one memorable final appearance on 'Loose Women', which had all of us in floods of tears. (credit:Rex/ITV)
Jackie Brambles(14 of16)
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Since leaving 'Loose Women' in 2009, Jackie has moved behind the cameras, launching her own digital media business called Broadstance Digital Media Production. (credit:Ferdaus Shamim via Getty Images)
Trish Adudu(15 of16)
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Not one of the first women who springs to mind when we think of 'Loose Women', but Trish was one of the show's original panellists, before leaving the show in 2002. She occasionally presents regional news, and has hosted segments on 'Inside Out' and 'The One Show'. Trish also teaches media studies to teenagers at a school in Coventry. (credit:Rex/ITV)
Karren Brady(16 of16)
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Yep, let it never be forgotten that the 'Apprentice' assistant and Conservative party life peer, Baroness Brady, was also once a 'Loose Women' presenter. (credit:Mark Robert Milan via Getty Images)