One Bushtucker Trial I’m A Celebrity bosses banned – and it’s not what you’d expect

is known for its nail-biting trials where campmates are often pushed to their limits to overcome their fears.

Over the years, contestants have been tasked to conquering their fear of heights by skydiving from a plane at 10,000 ft, or overcoming their discomfort in small spaces by lying in a coffin filled with snakes and spiders.

But arguably, the grosses challenge stars have to face on the show is the food trials where present them with a selection of disgusting food to eat to earn stars.

However, five years ago bosses announced that they would be banning one unusual Bushtucker Trial after they received a wave of backlash from fans.

As the camp start to dwindle in numbers, let’s take a look at the unusual challenge viewers won’t see on our screens this year.

Back in 2019, producers decided to ban campmates from consuming live insects as part Bushtucker Trials. Instead, celebs are only be served up dead insects as party of the gag-worthy challenges, meaning they won’t have to catch their dinner before they eat it.

The decision to cancel the trial is said to have been discussed by producers for some time before they made the announcement.

A show source told Radio 1 Newsbeat: “I’m A Celebrity producers have taken a look at the trials and decided that no live critters would be eaten in the trials this year.

“They have been planning this for some time and actually last year beach worms were the only critters eaten live but this time around they’ve decided to implement the change fully and permanently.”

The reality show faced criticism for its use of live animals and insects in Bushtucker Trials throughout its 19-series history before the change was implemented.

Wildlife experts and animal charities had repeatedly condemned producers for the “cruel” and “abusive” treatment of live creatures in tasks.

Spring Watch presenter, Chris Packham, animal rights activist Tayana Simons, and vegan blogger Lucy Watson were among those to have spoken out at the time.

The nature presenter previously called out the I’m A Celebrity hosts to consider the use of insects in the show. After the changes were announced, he said he was “very pleased” to learn of the decision during an interview on Radio 5 Live.

He added: “What’s long concerned me about the programme is that it portrays animals in the wrong way. There was never any ambiguity that eating live invertebrates was abuse and also exploitation for entertainment.”

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