Chris Packham called out I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! for “abusing animals” during a speech at Monday’s TV Choice Awards.
The Springwatch presenter was booed by sections of the audience at the annual bash just minutes after Holly Willoughby had collected the Best Reality Show award for the ITV programme she stepped in to co-host last year.After taking to the stage to collect an award on behalf of Blue Planet, Chris implored the audience of TV acting talent and producers to change their habits and help the environment - before taking a swipe at I’m A Celebrity.
To groans of discomfort from some of the audience, the Blue Planet Live presenter ended his speech by saying he had another “duty” to carry out, and asked I’m A Celebrity to change its way.Chris Packham: “A message to ‘I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here’. Can you please stop abusing animals on your programme.” @TVChoice awards pic.twitter.com/hylTHXirrX— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) September 9, 2019Addressing the reality show’s presenters, crew and producers directly, he said: “I’m A Celebrity, can you please think about no longer abusing animals on your programme?”
Despite prompting boos from some members of the audience, his extended speech also prompted loud applause from others.Declining to leave the stage, he also told the audience: “Our oceans are full of plastic. The
Amazon, the lungs of the world is on fire.
“We will be breathing toxic air on our way back home tonight. Toxic air that will kill thousands of people in our beloved capital
“We have to make a change. Making changes takes courage.”
He urged everyone at the dinner at The Hilton on Park Lane in
London to make a small change in their daily habits to help the environment.
The presenter had previously called on TV productions to be more forthright in their environmentalism, and push a stronger message.READ MORE: Springwatch Presenter Urges Michael Gove To Launch Investigation Into Wildlife Damage Chris Packham 'Receives Death Threats' After Backing Bird Shooting Ban Inspired By Blue Planet Live, Here Are 5 Ways To Help Save The Oceans