After hosting I’m A Celebrity for 22 years, Ant and Dec have become integral to the show with fans threatening to boycott the series if the merry Geordie duo ever left.
But the nation’s favourite double act have found themselves an enemy in Extinction Rebellion.
Show insiders now fear that the pair will become the targets of the climate change activists’ notorious protests.
Extinction Rebellion called for Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, both 49, to be axed from the ITV show for their ties to Santander Bank.
On Sunday night, the climate activist group wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: ‘Ironic that Ant and Dec are on ITV again in the Jungle, while they’re the face of Santander bank, a massive financier of deforestation and destruction in the Amazon Jungle… Ant and Dec get them out of there.’
The statement was written on the group’s South London X page, XR Balham, during Sunday night’s launch show.
After hosting I’m A Celebrity for 22 years, Ant and Dec, both 49, have become integral to the show with fans threatening to boycott the series if the merry Geordie duo ever left
Show insiders now fear that the pair will become the targets of the climate change activists’ notorious protests as Extinction Rebellion called for the duo to be axed from the ITV show for their ties to Santander Bank (pictured in the advert)
Extinction Rebellion has a strong presence in .
Like the UK, the country has been plagued by increasingly hostile acts of protest from the group’s supporters including allegedly blocking traffic on Melbourne’s West Gate Bridge and occupying the Parliament of ‘s lower house the House of Representatives, and gluing their hands to Picasso’s ‘Massacre in Korea’ at the National Gallery of Victoria.
A Santander spokesperson said: ‘We understand fully the importance of protecting the Amazon and supporting sustainable development in the region. Our financing decisions adhere to a strict policy framework which aligns with all relevant environmental regulation.
‘We conduct additional due diligence on all lending decisions subject to our policy which could impact biodiversity and are actively involved in several industry initiatives to protect the environment.
‘We also work proactively with clients, as well as other banks, governments, regulators and other institutions to help improve practices, recognising this is a highly complex challenge that requires a multifaceted, multi-lateral response.’
It’s not the first time Ant and Dec, who have been ambassadors for the bank since 2019, have been called out publicly for their links to Santander.
A platform called Make Money Matter wrote: ‘As Ant and Dec head into the jungle for I’m A Celebrity, the destruction of the world’s forests and wildlife is being paid for by their mates at Santander.
‘This year we’ve seen unprecedented heatwaves, forest fires and flooding, all while Santander has doubled down on their fossil fuel financing and is also a major financier of forest-risk sectors.
Extinction Rebellion group XR Balham wrote a statement on the group’s South London X page during Sunday night’s launch show
It’s not the first time Ant and Dec, who have been ambassadors for the bank since 2019, have been called out publicly for their links to Santander
‘Santander is using Ant and Dec to cover up its climate destruction. It’s time the Bank of Antandec shut up shop and cut ties with Santander.’
Last month the pair appeared in Santander’s latest ad for its Open Academy which raises awareness of the free online learning platform.
In the advert, Ant and Dec play the fictional Bank of Antanddec CEOs who lock themselves in a safe as they attempt to guard their potential when they hear about Santander’s new initiative but lose the key.
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Ant and Dec fall to the floor as they see the I'm A Celeb jungle for the FIRST TIME this year
Santander is the second financial institution in the EU that grants most loans to the main Brazilian beef exporters involved in deforestation.
have contacted ITV, Santander and Ant and Dec’s representatives for a comment.
The hosts sent their fans into hysterics after they joked about needing ‘more days off’ in a TikTok video last week.
Jumping on the latest social media trend, the Geordie duo, who are currently Down Under for I’m A Celeb, recreated their own spin on the Camera Flip Challenge.
The challenge sees people deliver advice aimed at their own demographic, as they pretend to accidentally reveal themselves as the obvious target of the message.
And Ant and Dec did not hold back for their clip as the camera looked out into the trees with the text: ‘Ant & Dec actually work so hard during I’m A Celeb, this year they deserve more days off for golf.’
The camera then flipped to reveal it was the TV duo behind the camera as they awkwardly look at each other in shock.
Finding the joke hilarious, fans took to the comment section to share their thoughts, with one writing: ‘I love this trend and how all the celebrities are doing it.’
I’M A CELEBRITY 2024: MEET THE ALL STAR LINE UP
OTI MABUSE
Oti Mabuse has already two Strictly glitterballs under her belt
AGE: 34
OCCUPATION: Professional dancer
FAMOUS FOR: Oti is best known for being a professional dancer on the British television series Strictly Come Dancing, which she won in 2019 and 2020.
DANNY JONES
Danny Jones is one of the bookies’ favourites to win this year’s I’m A Celeb
AGE: 38
OCCUPATION: McFly singer
FAMOUS FOR: Danny is one of the lead vocalists and the lead guitarist for pop-rock band McFly.
He is also a coach on The Voice UK.
BARRY MCGUIGAN
Former boxer Barry McGuigan is heading into the jungle
AGE: 63
OCCUPATION: Retired professional boxer
FAMOUS FOR: Barry was nicknamed The Clones Cyclone and held the WBA and lineal featherweight titles from 1985 to 1986.
GK BARRY
GK Barry is a TikTok star who recently joined the ITV family on Loose Women
AGE: 25
OCCUPATION: TikTok star
FAMOUS FOR: Grace is known for her comedic commentary on culture, lifestyle, and fashion. She has over 3.6 million followers and recently joined the Loose Women panel.
DEAN MCCULLOUGH
ITV bosses are hoping Dean McCullough will ruffle feathers in the camp
AGE: 32
OCCUPATION: Radio 1 DJ
FAMOUS FOR: Radio 1 DJ Dean has been signed by I’m A Celeb bosses, in the hope that he will ruffle feathers with his outspoken views.
Earlier this year it was announced Dean would be taking over the BBC Radio 1 Early Breakfast Show, after previously fronting the afternoon slot.
JANE MOORE
Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women
AGE: 62
OCCUPATION: Journalist
FAMOUS FOR: Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women between 1999 and 2002.
She returned as a regular panellist from 2013 onwards.
Jane takes on the challenge following her high-profile split from husband of 20 years, Showbiz agent, Gary Farrow.
MELVIN ODOOM
Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021
AGE: 44
OCCUPATION: DJ and TV presenter
FAMOUS FOR: His work on radio. Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021, but turned down the offer at the last minute.
He also had a primetime stint on Strictly back in 2016.
COLEEN ROONEY
Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history
AGE: 38
OCCUPATION: WAG
FAMOUS FOR: Wagatha Christie case against arch rival Rebekah Vardy.
Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history, exceeding Nigel Farage’s £1.5million from last year.
ALAN HALSALL
Alan Halsall is best known for his role as Tyrone Dobbs on Coronation Street
AGE: 42
OCCUPATION: Actor
FAMOUS FOR: Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall was forced to withdraw from I’m A Celeb last year, after undergoing ACL Reconstruction surgery.
Bosses have now convinced the actor to sign up again, and no doubt he will draw in a huge fanbase thanks to his long-running role as Tyrone Dobbs on the soap.
TULISA
Tulisa is making her career comeback after reuniting with N-Dubz last year
AGE: 36
OCCUPATION: Singer and former X Factor judge
FAMOUS FOR: Tulisa reunited with N-Dubz last year for a tour after first finding fame with the band in 2007.
In 2011, she became a judge on The X Factor and went on to launch her debut solo album, The Female Boss.
She released her fourth album with N-Dubz last year.