An advert for the new series of I'm a Celebrity ...Get Me Out Of Here! has been slammed by fans for featuring Ant McPartlin riding a small pony.
Viewers voiced their concerns over animal welfare as a behind-the-scenes video from the ad was shared on Ant and Dec's official Instagram.
The ad features Ant and his co-host Declan Donnelly as knights on horseback, but Ant is riding what appears to be a Shetland pony.
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In the extra clip Ant joked about the horse doing 'a little dance' as the animal paced around.
And Ant sang "Do a little dance, make a little love, get down tonight" from Get Down Tonight by KC and the Sunshine Band.
However fans have voiced their disappointment claiming that Ant is ‘too heavy’ for the pony.
One tweeted to ITV: "Disgusting your clip showing Ant Mcpartlin riding a Shetland pony."
They added: "You can see he is far too tall to ride such a small pony."
Another said about the behind-the-scenes video: "I love you guys and think you are both brilliant but this is not funny at all.
" The strain you will be putting on that small pony’s back is huge. Disappointed in you guys."
"Is it ok to have a grown man sat on a small horse, poor horse?" asked another.
"That’s cruel," another follower slammed.
Another fan told Ant and Dec: "Sorry, love you two usually but that’s not right."
However I'm A Celebrity spokesperson said the pony is professionally trained and the safety and wellbeing of the animals used for filming were of 'utmost priority.'
"The pony used in the promo is professionally trained to work in the film and television industry," they said.
"Throughout the shoot the horse master and a team of expert handlers were on location at all times.
"The safety and wellbeing of the horses and pony used for filming were of utmost priority to everyone."
The upcoming series of the much-loved ITV reality show will return to Gwyrch Castle in North Wales after it moved to the UK from Australia because of the coronavirus pandemic last year.
