Police issue ‘advice’ to I’m a Celebrity producers after complaints over use of non-native bugs

Police say they have issued advice to the producers of I’m a Celebrity following complaints about the use of non-native bugs during the show’s trials.

Officers revealed yesterday they were investigating the use of insects for bushtucker trials during the filming of this year’s series at Gwrych Castle near Abergele.

Concerns were first raised last week that some of the species from the challenges could potentially be escaping into the local habitat, posing a threat to wildlife in the area.

ITV has defended itself against the accusations, stating that all insects used are “non-invasive species” and only released in a contained area.

But BBC Springwatch presenter Iolo Williams posted a series of tweets criticising the show, which can be seen below.

A question to @NatResWales. Why is #ImACeleb allowed to release thousands of non-native species at Gwrych Castle in north Wales? As well as the moral issue of using wild animals for entertainment, surely there are huge ecological issues here also

— Iolo Williams (@IoloWilliams2) November 19, 2020

@NatResWales, my previous question regarding #ImACeleb and the release of non-native species at Gwrych Castle was not a publicity stunt. I really would like to know why they were given permission to do this, especially on the edge of Castell Gwrych Woodlands SSSI @SteveOrmerod

— Iolo Williams (@IoloWilliams2) November 21, 2020

It appears that #imacelebrity made no licence application to @NatResWales to release non-native species into the wild. This now becomes an issue for @HeddluGogCymru to ascertain whether offences have been committed. Over to you @NWPRuralCrime

— Iolo Williams (@IoloWilliams2) November 24, 2020

North Wales Police has now released an update after being inundated with media enquiries.

A spokesman said: “North Wales Police and Natural Resources Wales have received information regarding the potential release of non-native species into ‘non-studio’ areas, and we have given suitable advice to the production team regarding their set management and biosecurity.

“We will not be commenting further on this matter.”