The RSPCA have called out I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! for its treatment of animals during the bushtucker trials.
For the current series, the show moved production from Australia to Wales as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. However, the charity says despite the move they still have "serious concerns" about the animals featured in the show.
A statement posted by animal welfare charity RSPCA read: "Since I'm a Celebrity was first aired, animals have been dropped, thrown, handled roughly, crushed, chased, overcrowded, scared by contestants and prevented from escaping from stressful experiences.
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"There have also been incidents where animals have been killed for no other purpose than entertainment."
They added that they have contacted the producers of the show throughout the years since it debuted in 2002.
"Throughout the years, we've been raising our concerns with the production company about how animals were being treated on the Australia-based programme, but we never received a response from the show."
In Monday's episode, Jordan North and Shane Ritchie were locked in an underground bunker which was filled with snakes.
The RSPCA also said the production company got in contact with them during the planning of the current series. The statement from the RSPCA comes as the show is set to broadcast the first eating trial of the current series tonight. Jordan North, Beverley Collard and Vernon Kay were chosen to take part.
"We were very pleased when the show's production company got in touch with us in the planning stages of this year's series, set here in the UK.
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"We spoke to them about changing the way they use animals along with the change of continent - perhaps introducing welfare-friendly alternatives to animal use in the trials.
"However, we were really disappointed to be told that they would continue to be using animals in this way during this series. We know that many of you, the animal loving public, agree with us and really dislike the use of animals in this way."
The RSPCA say they will continue to urge for the producers to "rethink" the way animals are used in the show. "We'll continue to urge ITV and the production company to rethink the way they use animals in I'm a Celebrity and replace the challenges with animal-friendly alternatives. We'll be watching the programme and will flag up any concerns we have to the producers."
Tyla has reached out to ITV for a comment.
Topics: I'm a celebrity, TV News, Animals