Sort Your Life Out, hosted by Stacey Solomon, came under fire earlier this month (February 1) amid claims of its “shameful and disgusting” treatment of animals.
The episode focused on the Fall family as Stacey tried to help them declutter their home.
But the treatment of the Fall family’s rabbits caused uproar from viewers, who urged the BBC to investigate the episode.
Following on from that, it has now been reported that the BBC has received more than 1,500 complaints about the episode.
As a result, it became the most complained about show between January 30 and February 12.
Sort Your Life Out: Stacey Solomon urged to rectify ‘shameful’ treatment of animals
The Fall family asked for Stacey’s help with decluttering their home. It was filled to the brim with 2,137 toys, 452 books, 13 guitars, 61 mugs and 1,274 tools.
Dad Dan’s unfinished DIY projects had also caused a lot of clutter. And Stacey’s team eventually found £2,000 worth of money and cheques once the mess was cleared.
But it was the treatment of the family’s rabbits which caused outrage from viewers.
The Fall family’s rabbits were originally housed in an indoor set-up in the family’s conservatory.
After the Sort Your Life Out team decluttered the home, the rabbits were moved to an outdoor enclosure.
Stacey said in the programme: “Now that the rabbits have moved out of the conservatory and into their new home in the garden, it can finally be used as a living space for the humans of the family.”
Julia and Dan were moved to tears by their conservatory’s new look. But emotions also ran high from viewers for other reasons.
BBC urged to investigate after the episode
Viewers flocked to Twitter to complain after watching the rabbits move from their indoor enclosure to a smaller outdoor enclosure.
One viewer pleaded to Stacey: “We enjoy watching your decluttering show but moving the rabbits into a tiny hutch outside from a lovely indoor setup was sad!
The rabbits have full access to a wide, enclosed garden to roam around in.
“In that case shouldn’t the dog and cats have been moved outside into cages too? All pets are part of the family.”
Another viewer asked the BBC to rectify it: “Locking a rabbit in a hutch is cruel, causing serious mental and physical health problems.
“They need a minimum of 60 square feet. You have just publicly broadcast animal cruelty and people will think this is okay. Please rectify.”
A third viewer also claimed: “Wow. Stacey Solomon promoting animal neglect on #SortYourLifeOut.
“Shameful and disgusting.”
BBC responds to complaints
Now the BBC has released a statement about the episode.
Earlier today (February 20), a rep told ED!: “The family’s pet rabbits usually live outside and were only living indoors for a short period of time after being neutered.
“They are therefore acclimatised to living in the garden.
“The rabbits have full access to a wide, enclosed garden to roam around in, with the hutch being a place to come and go as they please during the day, as well as a safe and secure space for them to sleep in at night.”
ED! contacted a rep for Stacey for comment.
Read more: Stacey Solomon defended by fans amid animal cruelty backlash
Sort Your Life Out with Stacey Solomon continues on Wednesday at 9pm on BBC One. Episodes are also available on BBC iPlayer after airing.
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