Coronation Street actress Cait Fitton has come under fire for animal cruelty (Image: ITV)
Coronation Street actress Cait Fitton has come under fire for animal cruelty after posting a photo of herself appearing to ride a dolphin during a holiday in the Dominican Republic. The 23-year-old star, best known for playing Lauren Bolton on the ITV soap, shared a string of sun-soaked snaps from her tropical break — but one particular post has sparked outrage. In an Instagram Story, Cait was seen in the sea outside Dolphin Island Park in Punta Cana. The caption read: “Such a surreal experience.
“Pictures pending… Swim with dolphins in the wild.” In another image, she was seen kissing the dolphin while joined by her boyfriend Tony. But animal rights charity PETA has slammed the experience as exploitative and cruel. In a statement to The Sun, PETA’s Vice President of Programmes Elisa Allen said: “PETA is rushing Cait a copy of The Cove, as she simply can’t be aware that dolphins exploited for these cute-seeming encounters are often violently torn away from their families.”
In earlier interviews, Cait shared how landing a role on Corrie was a lifelong dream.
“I told my entire class I wanted to be in Coronation Street,” she recalled. “My younger self is screaming right now. I want to say a big thank you to all the cast and crew at @coronationstreet for inviting me in with open arms and making me feel so welcome!
“I dedicate this role of achievement to my family who were huge fans of the show but unfortunately are no longer with me, but I know if they were, they’d be bursting at the seams!”
Coronation Street’s Cait Fitton Faces Furious Backlash Over ‘Cruel’ Dolphin Encounter Holiday Snap
By Daily Mail Reporter
She should have been basking in the glow of sunshine, sandy beaches, and the adoration of millions of Coronation Street fans. Instead, Cait Fitton—one of the ITV soap’s brightest young stars—has found herself at the centre of a social media storm after sharing pictures of a controversial dolphin encounter on her luxury holiday in the Dominican Republic.
The 23-year-old actress, who plays Lauren Bolton on the cobbles, had jetted off to the tropical paradise for a much-deserved break following a whirlwind year that saw her character’s storyline grip the nation. But it was a single Instagram Story—showing Cait apparently riding a dolphin in the crystal-clear waters off Punta Cana—that has sparked outrage, with animal rights campaigners and fans alike accusing her of animal cruelty.
The now-infamous snap was taken at Dolphin Island Park, a popular attraction for tourists seeking that once-in-a-lifetime “swim with dolphins” experience. Cait, beaming in a blue bikini, clung to the dorsal fin of a bottlenose dolphin as it glided through the water. “Such a surreal experience,” she wrote in the caption, promising “pictures pending… Swim with dolphins in the wild.”
In another image, Cait and her boyfriend Tony could be seen sharing a kiss with the dolphin, both grinning for the camera, seemingly oblivious to the growing furore their holiday memories would ignite.
PETA’s Swift Condemnation
It didn’t take long for animal rights activists to pounce. PETA, the world’s most prominent animal welfare charity, wasted no time in issuing a blistering statement. Elisa Allen, the organisation’s Vice President of Programmes, told The Sun: “PETA is rushing Cait a copy of The Cove, as she simply can’t be aware that dolphins exploited for these cute-seeming encounters are often violently torn away from their families.”
Allen’s statement continued: “These intelligent, sensitive animals are forced to perform tricks and interact with tourists in cramped, unnatural conditions, all for profit. No true animal lover would support this industry. We urge Cait—and anyone else considering such an experience—to think again.”
The condemnation was echoed across social media, with the hashtag #DolphinCruelty trending on Twitter within hours. Fans who once cheered Cait’s every move now expressed disappointment, with one writing: “Heartbroken to see someone I admired supporting this. Dolphins belong in the ocean, not in theme parks.” Another added: “It’s 2025—there’s no excuse for this anymore.”
A Dream Come True… Now a Nightmare
For Cait, the backlash is especially painful given how hard she worked to achieve her dream role on Coronation Street. In earlier interviews, she spoke movingly about her journey from a star-struck schoolgirl to a household name. “I told my entire class I wanted to be in Coronation Street,” she once recalled. “My younger self is screaming right now. I want to say a big thank you to all the cast and crew at @coronationstreet for inviting me in with open arms and making me feel so welcome!”
She dedicated her role to her late family, saying: “I dedicate this role of achievement to my family who were huge fans of the show but unfortunately are no longer with me, but I know if they were, they’d be bursting at the seams!”
But now, instead of celebrating her success, Cait faces a public relations crisis. Her representatives have so far declined to comment, but sources close to the actress say she is “devastated” by the reaction and had “no idea” of the controversy surrounding dolphin tourism.
The Dark Side of Dolphin Tourism
The uproar comes amid growing awareness of the dark reality behind so-called “swim with dolphins” attractions, which remain popular with British holidaymakers despite years of campaigning by animal welfare groups. While operators often market the experiences as “educational” or “conservation-focused,” critics say the truth is far more sinister.
Many dolphins in captivity are captured from the wild—often in brutal hunts like those exposed in the Oscar-winning documentary The Cove. Even those born in captivity endure a lifetime of confinement, forced to perform tricks and interact with tourists in small pools a fraction of the size of their natural ocean habitats. Studies have shown that captive dolphins suffer from stress, illness, and shortened lifespans.
In the UK, travel firms such as Thomas Cook have already taken a stand, banning the promotion of dolphinariums and similar attractions. But overseas, the practice remains big business, with thousands of Britons flocking to parks in Spain, the Caribbean, and the US every year.
A Divided Public
The controversy has sharply divided Cait’s fanbase. Some have rushed to her defence, insisting she meant no harm and was simply unaware of the issues. “She’s young and probably didn’t realise,” wrote one supporter. “Let’s educate, not cancel.” Others, however, are less forgiving. “Ignorance is no excuse,” replied another. “If you’re in the public eye, you have a responsibility.”
The debate has even spilled over onto the set of Coronation Street, with cast members reportedly “shocked and saddened” by the incident. ITV has declined to comment, but insiders say producers are monitoring the situation closely.
The Price of Fame
For Cait, the incident is a harsh lesson in the perils of celebrity in the social media age. In years gone by, a holiday snap might have been shared with a few close friends. Now, every post is scrutinised by millions, and a single misstep can spark a global backlash.
Yet the star’s journey to the top is a testament to her resilience. Growing up in Manchester, she dreamed of walking the famous cobbles, inspired by her family’s love for the show. Her breakthrough came after years of auditions and setbacks, and her portrayal of troubled teen Lauren Bolton won critical acclaim.
“Coronation Street changed my life,” she told fans in a recent Q&A. “I’m so grateful for every opportunity, and I hope to make my family proud every day.”
What Next for Cait Fitton?
Whether Cait can weather this storm remains to be seen. Some PR experts believe a heartfelt apology and pledge to support dolphin conservation could help repair the damage. Others warn that the incident could haunt her career for years to come.
One thing is certain: the days of carefree celebrity holidays are over. Every snap, every story, every sun-drenched adventure is now potential headline news.
For Cait Fitton, the lesson is clear—fame brings both adoration and scrutiny, and even the smallest slip can unleash a tidal wave of criticism. As she returns to Weatherfield, she does so with a new understanding of the power—and peril—of the spotlight.
And for her fans, the hope is that this painful episode will spark a wider conversation about the true cost of animal tourism, and the responsibility we all share to protect the creatures who cannot speak for themselves.
