As a brand new series of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here arrives on our screens for 2025, viewers are once again preparing for the gruesome spectacle of the Bushtucker Trials. These iconic challenges are designed to push celebrities far beyond their comfort zones, but many fans are asking the same crucial question: are real animals and insects used in these stomach-churning tests?
The Rules Around Live Insects in 2025
The show's approach to using live creatures has evolved significantly over the years. For trials that do not involve eating, real insects, bugs, and creepy crawlies are indeed used. Back in 2021, an ITV spokesperson told Metro that the programme "implements rigorous production practices to ensure that animals are handled safely before, during and after the filming period."
However, in a major policy shift that occurred post-2019, the show has completely stopped using live insects for the parts of trials that involve eating bugs. This change came after significant backlash from animal rights groups concerned about the welfare of the creatures. Now, when celebrities are forced to consume insects, only dead bugs are used.
What Happens to the Animals After Filming?
For the live creatures that do participate in the trials, ITV has established a clear process for their care after filming concludes. According to reports from Metro, the live bugs used in the challenges are collected using a specialised grate system.
Once the production wraps up, these animals are not simply discarded. Instead, they are donated to zoos, wildlife trusts, and sanctuaries, ensuring they continue to be cared for in appropriate environments. ITV has stated that they "regularly review the measures we have in place and develop them in line with any requirements following engagement with the local authority and other regulatory authorities to ensure they are fit for purpose."
Over the years, the programme has featured various live animals beyond just insects, including snakes and other creatures that add to the dramatic tension of the Bushtucker Trials. The welfare protocols apply to all species involved in the production.
A Balancing Act: Entertainment and Ethics
The evolution of the show's policies reflects an ongoing effort to balance entertainment value with ethical considerations regarding animal welfare. While the trials remain deliberately gruesome and challenging for the celebrity contestants, the producers have demonstrated a willingness to adapt their practices in response to public concern.
The changes implemented since 2019 show that even a format as established as I'm a Celebrity can evolve to address changing societal values around animal treatment, while still maintaining the elements that make the Bushtucker Trials so memorable and talked-about by viewers.
