This year’s series of I’m A Celebrity will not feature tasks involving the eating of live creepy-crawlies for the first time.
As well as Bushtucker Trials involving terrifying stunts and being unsettlingly close to the type of creatures you’d usually stay clear of, I’m A Celebrity is famed for its eating challenges, which have seen past stars chowing down on everything from crocodile penis to kangaroo anus.
However, one thing this year’s stars won’t be served up is live insects, in a new move for the show.
A show source said: “No live critters will be eaten in the Bush Tucker Trials this year.
“Producers have been planning this for some time and have decided to implement the change fully and permanently.”
It should be noted, though, that the eating challenges will still include the eating of bugs and insects that are already dead, while live critters will also continue to be used in other challenges.
The move comes after Springwatch presenter Chris Packham repeatedly criticised I’m A Celebrity for what he described as the “abusive” way animals are treated on the show.
Back in September, Chris was booed by members of the audience at the TV Choice Awards when he called on I’m A Celebrity bosses to stop “abusing animals”, and has more recently accused presenters Ant and Dec of ignoring his calls for them to meet up and discuss how creatures are treated on the ITV reality show.
For the first time, this year’s series will also not feature a camp fire, due to the ongoing bushfires in Australia.
“In light of the current situation in Australia, I’m A Celebrity will not feature an open camp fire,” a spokesperson told The Sun.
“Instead, campmates will cook their food and boil their water on a specially made gas stove.”
The new series of I’m A Celebrity launches tomorrow night at 9pm on ITV.
