It’s the stomach-churning highlight that’s had viewers gagging for over two decades – but I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! is facing yet another explosive backlash over its infamous Bushtucker Trials, with furious animal rights campaigners demanding to know: Are those wriggling insects live or dead when celebs chomp them down? And do producers ‘clean’ the creepy crawlies first?

As the 2025 series heats up in the Australian jungle – with comedian Ruby Wax and YouTube sensation Angry Ginge already retching through plates of cockroaches, mealworms and crocodile anus in the opening trial – insiders have lifted the lid on the grim reality behind the bugs.

The big reveal? Since a massive rule change in 2019, celebrities NO LONGER eat live insects in eating trials – all bugs served up for munching are stone-cold dead.

But don’t breathe a sigh of relief just yet. Live creepy crawlies are still dumped on stars’ heads, poured into helmets and used in non-eating challenges, sparking outrage from PETA and the RSPCA who brand the show ‘cruel’ and ‘outdated’.

‘ITV is tormenting animals for entertainment – no matter how small or scary,’ fumed PETA in a blistering statement this week. ‘These trials inflict severe stress and trauma on creatures. The show should be taken off air!’

The RSPCA echoed the fury, revealing they’ve been ‘more concerned than ever’ about animal welfare on the programme, with thousands of complaints flooding in year after year.

Flashback to the bad old days: Celebs like Ferne McCann chowing down on live water spiders in 2015 sparked 1,500 Ofcom complaints, while Katie Price munched live cockroaches and Scarlett Moffatt tackled wriggling beetles.

Naturalist Chris Packham slammed it as ‘Medieval’ cruelty, leading ITV bosses to announce the permanent ban on live bug-eating ahead of the 2019 series.

‘Producers decided no live critters would be eaten,’ an insider spilled at the time. ‘They’d been planning it for years after backlash from charities and viewers.’

Now, insects like crickets, mealworms and cockroaches are killed humanely beforehand – often frozen or gassed – before being plated up raw, blended into ‘smoothies’ or cooked into biscuits.

But are they ‘cleaned’? Sources say yes – bugs are farm-raised for food (edible insects are a growing industry), washed and gutted where possible to remove dirt and bacteria. Witchetty grubs and beach worms? Often pre-cooked or prepared to avoid health risks.

ITV insists welfare is top priority: ‘We comply with all laws, have expert handlers on site, and live bugs are collected via grates then donated to zoos and sanctuaries.’

But critics aren’t convinced. In non-eating trials, thousands of cockroaches and ants are poured over terrified stars – many crushed underfoot.

PETA raged: ‘Insects feel pain and fear – dumping them on people trivialises suffering!’

RSPCA added: ‘Invertebrates aren’t protected by law, but we’re worried thousands are harmed. Viewers should complain to Ofcom!’

Past scandals include police probes when non-native bugs risked escaping in Wales (2020-2021 series), and fines for rat mishandling.

This year’s launch saw Ruby Wax and Angry Ginge gag on dead roaches and grubs – but live ants in hand boxes and snakes on heads.

Fans are divided: ‘Dead bugs are better, but still gross!’ one tweeted. Another: ‘Ban all animals – use CGI!’

As ratings soar (6.6m overnight for launch), bosses defend: ‘Rigorous protocols ensure safety.’

But with PETA calling for boycott and RSPCA urging rethink, is the jungle’s bug bonanza finally crunch time?

One thing’s sure: No one’s asking for seconds.