I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here: disappointing demoralising viewing

While ITV have moved away from the contestants eating live animals, such as tarantulas, they have failed to improve meaningfully on the issue of animal welfare on the show. Dialogue with those who are responsible for animal welfare on the show would be a start. In absence of that, it makes you wonder, why would a TV show which profits from the use of animals not want to engage in a conversation about the public desire to improve standards? Why would a hugely successful, TV programme not be able to address these concerns? Did they not believe it important to check if this is cruel or ethically sound? The animal community is united that this it falls well below the standards we should be aiming for.

Welfare is an evolving science which is progressed by research but also by reflection and honesty. The honesty to put our hands up, admit failings and see them as opportunities to be better. ITV have commissioned various TV shows like Pet Show and others to help show good standards and compassion for our living creatures, in all shapes and sizes. Having been in and around TV myself, I know whenever I am in the mix, compassion and the optics is paramount, a sentiment shared with everyone I’ve had the pleasure of working with. With that in mind, I’d like to invite ITV to show that level of consistency with its commitment to animals here, as to not undermine its own moral compass as a TV network. If it continues to platform the worst of animal welfare, what is there to say about its credibility on any of its productions? It presents to me a serious cause for concern for the general trustworthiness of it, and that should concern them deeply.

Disappointing and demoralising

I work with cats, dogs and all sorts of weird and wonderful exotic animals and I have spent countless years of my life making sure I find new ways to educate about what good welfare looks like. Sadly, I have seen much more of the opposite in my career. I know what poor care looks like, I know what terrified reptiles, insects and birds act like, I know what animal exploitation looks like… and I have seen all of those on #ImACeleb. And that is no small statement. It is sad, disappointing, and demoralising.

Many of us veterinary professionals work tirelessly to help improve the publics’ understanding of compassion and care, and it can feel like we are losing. But ultimately the real losers are ITV and the animals. In that not-so-distant future, we will no doubt look back at #ImACeleb and say, how did we let this happen? And the saddest part is it will be too late for many of the animals on the show. I sincerely hope the ugliness of #ImACeleb where we use innocent animals as props for our entertainment, ceases to exist on any show. Because, unlike the contestants, they have no choice, and that’s exactly why it needs to change.

In case you missed it, read part one of Fabian's blog.