Celebrities express disgust at killing of Cecil the lion

A host of celebrities have taken to social media to speak out on the killing of well-known lion Cecil in Zimbabwe by a US dentist.

Actor and comedian Ricky Gervais was among the well-known faces to take to Twitter to speak out against the killing by Walter Palmer.

Gervais also praised US TV host Jimmy Kimmel who got choked up talking about the killing on his late night show.

Other celebrities including Lennox Lewis, Sharon Obsborne and Cara Delevingne have voiced their disgust at so-called 'trophy hunting'.

However biologist and writer Richard Dawkins has condemned the "witch hunt" against Palmer.

Palmer, from the US, has defended his actions, saying he did nothing wrong and that he believed the trip and hunt to be legal and professionally organised.

A professional hunter and a private game park owner are due to appear in court on illegal poaching charges over the animal's killing.