The launch of the 2025 series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! has been hit with serious controversy, as the animal rights charity PETA has demanded the show be 'taken off air' for its use of creatures in Bushtucker Trials.
Charity Condemns 'Cruel' Jungle Challenges
PETA, known for its vigorous animal welfare campaigns, issued a strongly-worded statement condemning the programme's opening night, which featured two trials involving wildlife. The charity's Vice President of Programmes, Elisa Allen, did not hold back, labelling the show as one 'for and by ignorant people'.
Allen stated that the trials 'inflict severe stress and trauma on sensitive animals', who are manhandled and exposed to screaming contestants. She argued that such treatment debases humanity and called on the British public, whom she said are still mourning the recent passing of wildlife expert Jane Goodall, to join their campaign and demand ITV stops tormenting animals.
ITV's Firm Response to Animal Welfare Claims
In response to the accusations, a spokesperson for ITV provided a detailed defence of the show's practices. The spokesperson emphasised that the production strictly complies with all regional and national laws concerning the use of animals, including reptiles and insects.
The RSPCA NSW is informed of all activities and has an open invitation to attend the site at any time. Furthermore, qualified and experienced animal handlers are present at every Bushtucker Trial that features animals. ITV maintains that with its many years of experience, it has rigorous protocols in place to ensure animal safety before, during, and after filming, with welfare being the 'primary priority'.
Stormy Start to the 2025 Series
The new series began on 17th November 2025, with ten celebrities entering the jungle for a three-week stint. The first episode saw five contestants take part in a trial where they put their hands into a box filled with ants and had a box containing snakes placed over their heads.
However, the launch was not without its production hiccups. Bad weather forced producers to scrap Ant and Dec's traditional helicopter entrance due to health and safety rules. Instead, the presenting duo had to arrive by car, with Ant quipping 'Health and safety gone mad'.
An insider revealed that stormy conditions over the weekend played havoc with filming, encouraging leeches and bugs, before a dramatic turnaround to sizzling 30-degree heat.
Looking ahead, the next episode will feature YouTuber AngryGinge and comedian Ruby Wax taking on an eating challenge called 'The Divey', a play on the famous restaurant The Ivy.
