ITV fined over jungle rat killing

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D’Acampo killed the rat on the show late last year

ITV has been fined 3,000 Australian dollars (£1,672) after contestants on its show, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, killed and ate a rat.

The fine, for animal cruelty, was issued by the RSPCA in Australia, where the show was filmed last year.

"The animal was killed for a TV show, that’s not appropriate," said RSPCA chief inspector David Oshannessy.

A spokesman for ITV said: "ITV has apologised for the mistake which led to this incident."

Rice and beans

He continued: "The production was unaware that killing a rat could be an offence, criminal or otherwise in New South Wales, and accepts that further inquiries should have been made.

"This was an oversight and we have since thoroughly reviewed our procedures and are putting in place a comprehensive training programme to ensure that this does not happen in future series."

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! winner Gino D’Acampo killed the rat while in the jungle camp last year.

The Italian chef and actor Stuart Manning ate it after they were "exiled" and reduced to rations of rice and beans.

ITV also had to pay $2,576 Australian dollars (£1,435) in costs.