Clunes dumped by animal charity for ride
Actor Martin Clunes has been dropped as a patron of an animal welfare charity after footage emerged of him riding an elephant.
The Doc Martin star was criticised after climbing on to the creature during last week’s episode of ITV programme My Travels And Other Animals.
Following the out cry, charity Born Free has severed ties with Clunes, who had been a patron.
Born Free chief executive officer Howard Jones said: “We can confirm that, with much regret, Martin Clunes is no longer a patron.
“Born Free has always been opposed to the exploitation of captive wild animals for entertainment and human interactions, including rid in ge lephants.” Clunes, 57, is no longer listed on Born Free’s website as a celebrity patron, but a cached web page still contains his testimony praising the charity. A statement attributed to Clunes states: “I love the Born Free Foundation. It steps in wherever there’s an animal facing cruelty, abuse or unfairness of any kind.”