Ashleigh and Pudsey are fronting a new PETA campaign.

The 'Britain's Got Talent' winners are the faces of a new hard-hitting anti-circus ad which calls for a ban on the cruel practice of using wild animals in circuses, and the dancing duo unveiled their new poster in Westminster, London yesterday (22.06.12).

Holding her canine companion, 17-year-old Ashleigh said: ''I was shocked to learn the full extent of how some animals are treated in the circus and the beatings they endure to perform tricks.

''Pudsey loves performing, but I find it disgusting that people resort to violence and some of the wild animals suffer for the sake of so-called 'entertainment'.''

The loveable pair - who won the ITV1 talent show in May - are pictured in full circus attire, with Ashleigh in a sad clown costume and her pet pooch dressed as a lion.

The caption reads: ''The Saddest Show on Earth - Get Wild Animals Out of the Circus!''

PETA - who have worked with 'BGT' chief Simon Cowell on several occasions - hope to urge the British government to take action against circus cruelty.

Ashleigh added: ''Pudsey loved the attention and was really well-behaved throughout.

''I think he knew how important this photoshoot was to me.''

For more information about the campaign visit PETA.org.uk.

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