Packham is currently helping with coverage of National Geographic’s Big Cat Week, airing from February 7, as he lends his voice to multiple documentaries.
The annual TV programming event aims to highlight the National Geographic Society’s commitment to conservation through its Big Cats Initiative, which supports on-the-ground research and efforts to help protect big cats and their habitats.
But whilst chatting about the project, he once again brought up his continued frustrations with another series – I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!.
He’s been very vocal about his anger over certain elements of the show, telling them in 2021 to ‘shape up or shut down’ over the use of animals in trials.
While the TV star said he has ‘nothing against the show, per se,’ his issue lies with: ‘The fact that they misrepresent and abuse animals.’
He told Metro.co.uk: ‘It not tolerable in the 21st century on UK TV. I mean, you’ve got people like myself on one programme, saying all of this is beautiful, all of it’s important, we need to love it and understand it and protect it, and then people can switch over and see some horrible stereotyping where they’re saying that basically, insects are vile and worthless, therefore, we can abuse them because it doesn’t matter.
‘Rats, crocodiles, spiders, and they can reinforce all of these silly stereotypes, which paint these animals as useless, obnoxious or dangerous when they’re the opposite of all three.’
Packham said he can’t understand why the broadcaster ‘can’t simply modify their programme, with the exception of the animal component’ to keep it entertaining to viewers.
He’s not the only one who’s heavily criticised the programme over the years, with Peta previously echoing his comments, as she called for the structure of the show to change.
She explained the British public’s attitude is changing and ITV must change the structure of the show if they want to stay relevant.
‘Every season of this show brings more cruelty to our screens’, White said. ‘Animals are terrified and abused and killed for these challenges and it’s all for a cheap laugh,’ she added, before calling the trials ‘absolutely wrong.’
Packham went on to note ‘people have moved on’ adding: ‘It was obnoxious to start with, to be honest with you, but it’s now gone through a period of time where, because of things like Cop 26 and everything else, and people realise that it’s wrong.
‘I write to [Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly] and they won’t engage. Well, you’ve been you’ve probably seen the letters I’ve written to Ant and Dec but they don’t ever reply.’
Despite having a ‘high degree of respect’ for the Geordie duo, he said: ‘I don’t think they serve themselves very well by being associated with that sort of cruelty and obnoxious stereotyping and disrespect for life, and the mad thing is, you just don’t need it.’
He went on to say the whole situation ‘drives him nuts’ as it gets brought up every year, with no significant progress made.
‘I don’t know what to say, really, it’s just, we keep badgering on every single year. I’m gonna keep writing the letters and saying, “What the hell are you doing? You need to stop this.”
’It will obviously come to an end at some point. I just don’t know what’s going to drive that,’ he concluded.
When approached by Metro.co.uk, ITV reminded fans they have a clear animal welfare policy in place, which ensures that animal welfare law is complied with throughout the series.
A spokesperson previously said: ‘The team at I’m A Celebrity have many years of experience in producing the show and have rigorous protocols in place to ensure that animals are handled safely before, during and after filming, in compliance with animal welfare law.
‘Welfare and safety is always our primary priority.’
Metro.co.uk has approached representatives for Ant and Dec for comment.
Big Cat Week begins on National Geographic on February 7.
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