I'm A Celeb fans demand ITV remove 'disgusting' part of show before first episode airs

Viewers of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! are calling for the show to eliminate animal and insect-based challenges, labelling them as "disgusting."

The ITV programme, set in the Australian bush, has previously been criticised by the RSPCA for what they describe as "mistreatment" of animals.

The series is notorious for segments where celebrities consume items like camel penis, pig testicles, and live insects.

Audiences are now voicing their concerns that the broadcaster might intensify these aspects for entertainment purposes, prompting calls for the removal of such trials, reports the Mirror.

On social media, one person said: "Never watched this s***, and never will. The cruelty to/exploitation of wildlife here for human entertainment is beyond disgusting. There's NO justification for it, and this show should have been stopped years ago."

Another person urged: "Ban I'm A Celeb - gratuitous violent cruelty to other creatures for entertainment!"

While a third added: "I can think of way more than five reasons, this drivel is SO wrong on so many levels - but OK this is just a start."

Additionally, the charity Project the Wild has joined the debate online, criticising the programme for its use of "invasive species is wrong". The charity argued that "depicting animals as objects was inhumane."

Last year, the RSPCA lashed out at broadcasters for allowing "living creatures in dangerous and unnatural situations" on television shows, which could not only "potentially harm animals on set and encourage possible 'copy-cat' trials by viewers at home".

Dr Ros Clubb, Head of Wildlife, previously commented: "Programmes like 'I'm A Celebrity' are still flagrantly disregarding the welfare of animals in the interest of a quick thrill and there's currently nothing in the Broadcasting Code to dissuade them."

He continued: "Ahead of the show's finale, anyone who agrees with us can back our calls for change on the RSPCA website. In the last four years, we've seen 60,000 sign-ups to our campaign - with more than 41,000 contacting Ofcom, and approximately 20,000 complaining to ITV. We are calling for the Broadcasting Code to be urgently evaluated and strengthened in order to help protect animals from mistreatment and abuse."

They further stated: "Just weeks after the Online Safety Act came into force, including new measures on policing animal cruelty content online, it's clear we need further action on Ofcom's Broadcasting Code too."

The RSPCA has been consistently outspoken about the "mistreatment" of animals since the inception of the show in 2002.

This year, the programme is scheduled to broadcast on November 17 and will feature a host of familiar faces including Loose Women's Jane Moore, N-Dubz and former X Factor judge Tulisa, as well as WAG Coleen Rooney.

Other celebrities include ex-professional boxer Barry McGuigan, YouTuber GK Barry, TV and radio host Melvin Odoom, and Coronation Street favourite Alan Halsall.

With the plank challenge now removed from the show, which previously saw celebrities confronting their fear of heights before entering the jungle, ITV has disclosed that they will instead race into the jungle. The victors will gain control over the camp.

It's reported that the stars will select their partners for this challenge based on fitness and stamina. The challenge has been named Snakes and Ladders.

I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! airs Sunday on ITV and ITVX from 9pm.