CONTESTANTS on the new series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! will escape the usual horror of eating live creepy-crawlies this year - after Hampshire wildlife expert Chris Packham urged the show to stop using creatures during trials.

For the first time in the show's history, celebrities will not have to go through gruelling challenges that have previously involved eating witchetty grubs and live water spiders.

Daily Echo:

Following heavy campaigning from animal charities and wildlife experts, ITV will now only serve bugs already dead during the infamous Bushtucker Trial.

Daily Echo:

Chris, 58, who presents BBC nature show Autumnwatch, had penned an open letter saying teaching young viewers that killing for "exploitative 'entertainment'" was unacceptable.

He then criticised presenters Ant and Dec - who did not respond - for ignoring his call to stop using creatures on I'm A Celebrity's Bushtucker Trials.

Daily Echo:

ITV has said the show "complies with all regional and national laws concerning the use of insects, animals and reptiles".

It is famous for its yearly trials, which features bugs, rats, snakes and spiders.

Daily Echo:

The new series of the show will still involve live insects in non-eating tasks, such as when celebrities are covered head to toe in critters.

Olympian Caitlyn Jenner, who revealed her identity as a trans woman in 2015, DJ Adele Roberts, pundit Ian Wright, singer Nadine Coyle and comedian Andrew Maxwell are among those participating this year.

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! starts on Sunday at 9pm.