Police in Wales are investigating ITV’s “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!” over concerns that the reality program is using non-native bugs in the Welsh countryside.
TV host and naturalist Iolo Williams called the reality show out on Twitter, prompting the investigation.
“It appears that #imacelebrity made no licence application to @NatResWales to release non-native species into the wild,” he tweeted. “This now becomes an issue for @HeddluGogCymru to ascertain whether offences have been committed. Over to you @NWPRuralCrime“
The concern is that the show’s use of non-native cockroaches, maggots, spiders and worms in challenges meant to gross out — and weed out — contestants could threaten wildlife in the 250-acre estate surrounding Gwrych Castle in north Wales. The current season is being filmed there, rather than the series’ typical setting of the Australian jungle.
Williams called the use of non-native species “madness,” according to The Guardian.
TV host and naturalist Iolo Williams called the reality show out on Twitter, prompting the investigation.
“It appears that #imacelebrity made no licence application to @NatResWales to release non-native species into the wild,” he tweeted. “This now becomes an issue for @HeddluGogCymru to ascertain whether offences have been committed. Over to you @NWPRuralCrime“
The concern is that the show’s use of non-native cockroaches, maggots, spiders and worms in challenges meant to gross out — and weed out — contestants could threaten wildlife in the 250-acre estate surrounding Gwrych Castle in north Wales. The current season is being filmed there, rather than the series’ typical setting of the Australian jungle.
Williams called the use of non-native species “madness,” according to The Guardian.
- 11/25/2020
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Update: North Wales Police just issued an updated statement: “North Wales Police and Natural Resources Wales have received information regarding the potential release of non-native species into ‘non studio’ areas, and we have given suitable advice to the production team regarding their set management and biosecurity.”
Previous: ITV’s hit entertainment show I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! may have moved thousands of miles from Australia to Wales in 2020, but familiar concerns about animal welfare continue to hound the series.
The ITV Studios production is being filmed at the derelict Gwrych Castle in rural Wales, but the Ant and Dec-hosted show is continuing to use bugs, including cockroaches, maggots, spiders, during bushtucker trials for the celebrity contestants.
According to The Guardian, Welsh police are now investigating I’m A Celebrity… over concerns that non-native wildlife could have escaped the castle and be posing a threat to local species.
Previous: ITV’s hit entertainment show I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! may have moved thousands of miles from Australia to Wales in 2020, but familiar concerns about animal welfare continue to hound the series.
The ITV Studios production is being filmed at the derelict Gwrych Castle in rural Wales, but the Ant and Dec-hosted show is continuing to use bugs, including cockroaches, maggots, spiders, during bushtucker trials for the celebrity contestants.
According to The Guardian, Welsh police are now investigating I’m A Celebrity… over concerns that non-native wildlife could have escaped the castle and be posing a threat to local species.
- 11/25/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
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