ITV faces huge I'm A Celebrity backlash from viewers before first show even airs

Fans of have demanded that the challenges which involve animals and insects be removed from the show's iconic format - as they believe it is "disgusting."

The show, which is set in the Australian jungle, has been called out in the past for its use of live animals by the RSPCA, who have deemed it a "mistreatment" of animals. The programme, loved by many, has become famous for celebrities eating camel penis, pig testicles not to mention live insects.

So it comes as no surprise that viewers are now concerned that the will ramp up that particular part of the show for entertainment value - and so have called for those trials to be axed. Taking to social media, one person wrote: "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 commented: "Ban I'm A Celeb - gratuitous violent cruelty to other creatures for entertainment!" Meanwhile a third person penned: "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." Charity Project the Wild, has also waded in on the social media argument and claimed the show's use of "invasive species is wrong." It also said: "depicting animals as objects was inhumane."

Last year, animal welfare charity RSPCA had hit out against the broadcaster for allowing "living creatures in dangerous and unnatural situations" that could "potentially harm animals on set and encourage possible 'copy-cat' trials by viewers at home". Head of Wildlife, Dr Ros Clubb previously said: "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."

Dr Ros went on to add: "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 added: "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 vocal about the "mistreatment" of animals since the show first aired in 2002.

This year, the show is set to air on November 17 and will feature a number of well known names including star Jane Moore, N-Dubz and former judge Tulisa and WAG . Other stars include former professional boxer Barry McGuigan, YouTuber GK Barry, TV and radio presenter Melvin Odoom and Corrie favourite .

Now that the plank challenge has been removed from the show, which showed celebs fighting their fear of heights before entering the jungle, The Sun has revealed that they will now race into the jungle. And the winners will rule over the camp. The stars will reportedly choose their partners before diving into the challenge based on fitness and stamina. And the challenge is called Snakes and Ladders.

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