It’s ‘Strictly No Bearskins’ for PETA Supporter Ann Widdecombe

© iStockPhoto.com / oleg66

This year’s Strictly Come Dancing contestants have been announced, and there’s no question who PETA staffers will be backing! Former MP Ann Widdecombe has been a staunch supporter of PETA’s Unbearable Cruelty campaign. At the House of Commons in 2008, Ann presented shocking undercover bear-hunting footage from PETA US to a room packed with media and government figures and called on the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to end the country’s use of bear fur for The Queen’s Guards’ caps.

Recently, Ann wrote an opinion piece for The Times criticising the MoD for failing to make the switch to faux fur. (She donated the £300 fee she received for the article to PETA.) Her words inspired Morrissey to write in and back the bears.

For fans of the show, I should mention that we recently shot a “Bare Skin, Not Bearskins” (yes, that does mean naked!) ad featuring 2009 Strictly runner-up Ricky Whittle. The ad will be released soon. Of course, we also shot a naked anti-bearskins ad featuring the undisputed star of Strictly 2004, Julian Clary. We’re hoping they change the name of the show to Strictly No Bearskins!

You don’t have to strip to stand up for bears! Please send an e-mail to the MoD now to protest the killing of bears for The Queen’s Guards’ caps, and please encourage as many people as you can to speak out against this cruelty!