BBC slammed with hundreds of complaints from furious The Apprentice fans who accuse show of ‘animal cruelty’

THE BBC has been slammed with hundreds of complaints from furious The Apprentice fans who accused the show of ‘animal cruelty’.

Last week’s episode saw the candidates head to Newquay, Cornwall as part of a task with sourcing and selling crabs at one of the county’s biggest markets.

The Apprentice has received over 100 complaints from viewers about last week’s episode

Viewers were not happy with the task which involved crab fishing in Cornwall

However, viewers immediately took issue with the task and the BBC has now had 102 complaints claiming it was “cruelty to animals.”

PETA’s director Elisa Allen said in a statement after the episode aired: “PETA urges the producers of The Apprentice to stop harming animals in the name of entertainment.

“And we call on viewers to help crabs and other crustaceans by leaving them in the ocean, where they belong.

“Crabs are fascinating, sentient beings who care attentively for their young and are loyal to those close to them – some even greet one another by waving their claws.”

She continued: “Those captured and hauled up from their homes may lose their fragile legs or sustain other painful injuries before being killed in crude ways, including by being boiled alive.

“Delicious, humane vegan options – including plant-based crab cakes and lobster rolls – are widely available.”

Viewers agreed, with one tweeting: “Had to turn tonight’s @bbcapprentice episode off – too distressing and offensive. Huge fan for years.

“Why engage with the suffering and depletion of marine life through fishing? And subject vegan/vegetarian viewers (and participants?) to it, for the sake of a ‘task’? Not ok!”

Another added: “Hope that they released the 50kg of crab that was not needed ALIVE back in to the ocean. Disgusting that killing innocent animals is a task on #TheApprentice.”

A spokesman for the show responded to the backlash in a statement which said: “We consulted fishing governing bodies and industry experts in the development and filming of this task.

“Including the Marine Conservation Society, DEFRA, the Cornwall Good Seafood Guide and the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation.”

PETA also criticised the task

The Apprentice is available on BBC iPlayer.