BBC reveals their decision after reviewing complaints over Stacey Solomon’s Sort Your Life Out

The BBC has released a public response to the complaints made towards Stacey Solomon’s series Sort Your Life Out – after more than 1,500 people reached out to share their worries over animal cruelty on the show.

Last month, the series – which airs on BBC One – was the target of a wave of backlash after Stacey proposed moving a family’s pet rabbits into an outside hutch.

The host suggested moving the rabbits from the large conservatory to the garden to make more space in the house as she attempted to ‘declutter’.

But viewers were angered by the move and argued that hutches were not acceptable homes for rabbits, complaining to the BBC.

Now having issued a decision, the broadcaster assured that while they had reviewed the complaints, they had deemed Stacey’s suggestion a ‘safe and secure space’ for the animal.

Uh oh: Last month, the series – which airs on BBC One – was the target of a wave of backlash after Stacey proposed moving a family’s pet rabbits into an outside hutch

Outrage: Viewers were angered by the move and argued that hutches were not acceptable homes for rabbits, complaining to the BBC 

Responding to complaints, the BBC’s response read: ‘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.’

The investigation came after many fans took to Twitter to share their disapproval over her decision on the show.

One said: ‘Love love @StaceySolomon but so disappointed that Sort Your Life Out has shown rabbits being moved from a nice spacious indoor run to a cramped outdoor hutch, hutches are absolutely not enough’.

Another wrote: ‘Very disappointed with the decision on rehousing the family pet rabbits on #SortYourLifeOut. @StaceySolomon – you need to research the suffering endured by thousands of pet rabbits in small hutches.’

A third raged: ‘I hope @StaceySolomon is by now educated in proper rabbit care and horrified that she’s condemned those rabbits to a life in a hutch. 

‘Their need for space as athletic animals is far more important than “decluttering” a human living area. We hope she’s taking steps to remedy it’.

While a fourth echoed: ‘Sort your life out with @StaceySolomon so disappointing as a rabbit owner. Do your research! They went from a fairly decent home to a hutch thats inadequate in size.

‘It’s stuff like this that set the rabbit community back as we attempt to show others that #ahutchisnotenough’.

A fifth agreed, writing: ‘@BBC please investigate the welfare of rabbits. #SortYourLifeOut only displays a lack of knowledge and pure cruelty putting those rabbits in a tiny hutch.’

And a sixth tweeted: ‘Absolutely appalling from @StaceySolomon and @bbcthree. Latest episode of Sort your life out is disgraceful. Those poor rabbits. A hutch is never enough. 

‘Next time follow @RabbitRWAF guidelines for appropriate size for rabbit accommodation. This falls so short. It’s animal abuse!’

The Rabbit Welfare Association and Trust shared the story and encouraged viewers to complain.

However they also added: ‘Before we comment any more, we want to make it clear that we think that this is the Production company’s responsibility, not the presenter, and we won’t allow any comments against Stacey Solomon. 

Move: Stacey suggested moving the rabbits from the large conservatory to the garden to make more space in the house

Angry: But when the episode aired earlier this month, viewers were angered by the move and argued that hutches were not acceptable homes for rabbits

Complaints: They took to social media to complain and to ask the BBC and Stacey to do further research into rabbit care

‘The Production company should have done their research.’

The BBC responded to fan complaints by explaining that the rabbits usually lived outside and ‘acclimatised’ to the garden.

They added: ‘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.’

The series – which follows Stacey and her team help families declutter their homes – was hit by 1,502 complaints to the BBC.

Defence: The Rabbit Welfare Association and Trust shared the story and encouraged viewers to complain to Ofcom, while defending Stacey