Sir David Attenborough blasts Bear Grylls for killing animals on TV show

Sir David Attenborough has slammed Bear Grylls after accusing him of killing animals for the sake of entertaining TV.

Attenborough, 91, said the adventurer would have to "answer for himself" after a host of creatures were slaughtered on his Channel 4 show, The Island, according to the Daily Mail.

Among the animals killed on the show are caiman crocodiles, pigs and turkeys - much to the outrage of charities and viewers.

BBC legend Attenborough, who will be soon launching a series on conservation for Netflix, told the Sun: "We've never killed an animal.

"Bear Grylls will have to answer for himself. But I wouldn't willingly kill an animal just to get a shot."

Grylls, known for his daring survival shows where he pits himself against the elements and wild animals, has also been criticised by animal charity PETA.

Bear Grylls is known for his television series Man Vs Wild. Photo / supplied

The comments came after Olympian Iwan Thomas and former Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas killed a crocodile with a knife, on celebrity edition of the Island last year.

Viewers were horrified by the scene and PETA UK condemned the show's "miserable celebrities and producers".

However, it was not the first time The Island had attracted the ire of animals lovers.

Previously, Made in Chelsea star Ollie Locke left fans furious for mounting and killing a crocodile, during the series in October last year.

Locke looked visibly shocked during the aftermath of the killing, before eventually mumbling, "I'm so sorry darling" and told the camera: "I think that's one of the hardest things I've ever done in my entire life."

But fans were unimpressed as said he showed a complete "lack of remorse".

While in 2015, show bosses were accused of shipping in pigs for the contestants to slaughter.

A scene from one episode showed three female islanders creep up on a sleeping pig before plunging a knife into its neck.

Animal rights groups condemned the slaughter and the RSPCA told The Mail on Sunday: "The RSPCA opposes practices that cause animals pain, suffering or death in the name of entertainment.

"It's unacceptable and could easily cause great distress to the animals."