Monday, 8 February 2010

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ITV fined over Gino D'Acampo's I'm A Celeb rat killing

RSPCA accuses broadcaster of animal cruelty

Gino D'Acampo was hungry

ITV has been fined £1,672 after Gino D'Acampo killed a rat on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!

The TV chef, 33, and fellow contestant Stuart Manning, 30, ate the rodent after complaining about the basic rations.

The RSPCA in Australia, where the show is filmed, issued the fine for animal cruelty. 

'The animal was killed for a TV show, that's not appropriate,' says chief inspector David Oshannessy. 

The broadcaster must also pay £1,435 in costs. 

'ITV has apologised for the mistake which led to this incident,' says a spokesman.

'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.'

Gino D'Acampo went on to win the show last year.

SEE PICTURES I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! 2009>>