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I'm a Celebrity: Ofcom receive over 500 complaints after Ferne McCann eats live spider

PETA added: 'All animals – not just the ones who are considered cute and cuddly – want to live free from harm'

Jack Shepherd
Monday 07 December 2015 16:03 GMT
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Complaints over I'm a Celeb trial

I’m a Celebrity has finished for another year, the final of which saw Geordie Shore’s Vicky Pattison winning the show’s 15th series.

However, it was rival reality star Ferne McCann making headlines after 500 people complained to ITV about her eating a live spider.

In addition, broadcasting watchdog received an added 553 complaints about the stomach-churning scene which was part of the Bushtucker Bonanza challenge. The regulator will assess the complaints before proceeding any further.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) also criticised the show after the stunt, saying: “All animals – not just the ones who are considered cute and cuddly – want to live free from harm.

“It's time for the producers of I'm a Celebrity… to be called not just before the court of public opinion but also before a court of law.”

A spokesman for ITV told the Mirror: "I'm a Celebrity... complies with all regional and international laws concerning the use of insects in the eating trials, which have become a well-established part of the show over the past 15 years.”

McCan also ate a witchetty grub, lamb's brain and the end of a bull's penis during the final show. Read about the final here.

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