Downton star blasts Bear’s shark park

DOWNTON Abbey actor Peter Egan has Bear Grylls in his sights.

‘Please join me. I’ve signed this petition,’ appeals Egan, directing his social media followers to a campaign headed ‘Stop Bear Grylls Exploiting Marine Animals at his Adventure Park Experience’.

The survival expert is to invite punters to swim with sharks at his multimillion pound new Bear Grylls Adventure Park in Birmingham.

‘When the world is waking up to the cruelty and greed of swimming with whales and dolphins in captivity, why are we now encouraging the swimming with any captive marine animal?’ the Egan-backed campaign asks.

Grylls promises that inviting people to swim with sharks will generate a heightened awareness of the animals and their environment and support for conservation endeavours.

Egan is a man of his beliefs. I revealed how the militant vegan refused to allow meat on his dining plate, or appear in a hunting scene, when filming his role as the Marquess of Flintshire in Downton.