Phil Spencer, co-presenter of Channel 4 property show Location, Location, Location, has been heavily criticised after an old photo resurfaced on social media of him posing with a dead deer and a gun rifle.
The image of Spencer, who presents the annual ESTAS awards, is from 2011 but was posted last week by a Manchester based animal welfare charity on Facebook.
The non-profit organisation, Green Paw Project, shared the picture to their page and slammed Spencer for allegedly killing the animal and posing with it.
Alongside the photo, a message posted by the charity read: “Shame on Phil Spencer. A TV personality whom is well known for Location Location Location kills beautiful animals for fun.”
They included an alleged quote from Spencer, who will also present this year’s Agents Giving Awards. At the time of the picture he said: “I am absolutely chuffed to bits. It has been my ambition for a very, very, long time.”
The post continued: ‘GREEN PAW PROJECT STAND FOR ANIMAL RIGHTS. WE STAND AGAINST THE KILLING OF ALL ANIMALS. WE ARE THE ANIMALS VOICE.’
The post has attracted almost 1,000 comments so far, with many calling for people to stop watching the presenter on his TV shows.
One Facebook user commented: “I won’t be watching any programme he is involved with now. Loss of income may focus his mind. So “brave” to shoot a harmless creature.”
Spencer apparently shot the deer during a hunting expedition filmed for online TV station, Fieldsports Channel.
Spencer was heard saying on the video recording – see below – after shooting the deer: “It’s my first deer. It came out beside us, walked almost under us and I managed to get a cheeky shot on a slightly difficult angle.
“It didn’t sound like I’d hit it, but I had. I am absolutely chuffed to bits. It has been my ambition to shoot a deer for a very, very long time.”
Why would you be chuffed to bits killing a deer. It matters not if it’s an old photo.
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Why no current comment from Spencer? This story needs some balance to be proper journalism. And before any of the rural agencies’ staff join in condemnation just ask how many of your own directors / partners are regulars on shoots as well as how many shooting estates your firm helps run for profit.
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I’m sure its not illegal, unless he was poaching of course. It may suprise people but deer herds have to be managed.
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That may be true, but he didn’t need to be “chuffed to bits”! That just sounds weird and wrong.
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If he enjoys hunting/fishing etc then what is he expected to say. It’s not something I’d partake in tbh. I’m personally chuffed when I sell/rent a property but some would argue our industry is lower than a snakes belly
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Phil and Khirsty, two of the most smug individuals that you could find in the wild, shudder.
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Not sure this deserves a post on PIE and likely to stir up an unnecessary hornets nest. What has it to do with us with an event that is very old news (10 years ago), for a todays story?
Yes there are people who do not agree with killing animals and they are entitled to their opinion, yet they are not all vegetarians and live in a world that is alien to those that live and work in the countryside. It is not illegal.
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I was surprised this story made the cut, it keeps popping up on Twitter and always attracts the same comments and outrage.
I go out walking most mornings at first light and it was a real treat to close encounter a large roe deer like the one Mr. Spencer shot. The beauty and majesty of it was fantastic, [its bounding off was less impressive due to the show off, thrown in for effect, leaping] I cannot imagine the desire to shoot one or the thinking process for premeditated preparation to go out hunting but that is what apparently floats his boat.
It isn’t illegal. There is opinion about countryside stewardship that goes some way to justifying the sport but that doesn’t stop the upset and division the sport creates.
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If he killed it and ate it, fine. If he just killed it, not cool.
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I read that the deer went into microwaveable lasagnes for Icelands.
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Whilst I’m not personally a fan of hunting for the sake of a “kill” alone…and I agree with another poster, as I don’t think this is really relevant/pertinent to PIE.
I have no issue with hunting provided the animal is mostly consumed or utilised for its by-products (this post doesn’t suggest whether it was, or was not) or poses a threat to other animals (and of course isn’t endangered, which deer are not).
Other than that, as someone who eats meat and wears leather regularly…I can’t see any major issue with this
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So journalism at PIE is reduced to the level of the Daily Mail – trawling SM for clickbait stories !
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but with nearly 1400 views and these comments, it worked – that’s journalism.
(and it means we don’t get another boring boomin or queasy quirk, self promotion piece for a little while longer)
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Another warning that the internet never forgets.
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Must be a slow news day.
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And? So what. The British monarchy have been hunting deer in Scotland for centuries, including the present members. I don’t agree with it, but hey, each to their own. Non story. Get a grip!
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