Celebrities including Dame Dame Judi Dench, Ricky Gervais, Sue Perkins, Evanna Lynch, Alesha Dixon, Alison Steadman, Liz Bonnin, Simon Reeve, Mark Carwardine, Ben Goldsmith, Peter Tatchell, Vanessa-Mae, Gillian Burke, Gordon Buchanan, Leona Lewis, Paul O'Grady, Dame Dame Jane Goodall, and Michaela Strachan, have signed an open letter on behalf of World Animal Protection and the Campaign to End Wildlife Trade (CEWT), urging the Prime Minister to 'tell international leaders to stop exploiting wildlife', also calling for a wild animal trade ban to help prevent future pandemics.

Author and TV presenter Reeve said 'This global pandemic has had a devastating impact on all our lives and tackling the source of the problem must be a priority. Ending the exploitation of wildlife for use in the exotic pet, traditional medicine and entertainment industries will take us one huge step closer to safeguarding our health and the future of the natural world'.