I’m A Celebrity fans threaten to ‘boycott’ new ITV series amid backlash over ‘tone-deaf’ decision to let former UKIP leader Nigel Farage enter the jungle
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! fans have threatened to boycott the new ITV series over their ‘tone-deaf’ decision to let Nigel Farage enter the jungle.
The former UKIP and Brexit party leader, 59, is taking part in this year’s series, set to launch on Sunday night, and is believed to be earning a bumper £1.5million for his appearance.
The signing of the GB News star has proved controversial as Nigel is a famously divisive figure, who is known for his right-wing views on immigration and gender pay gaps.
Some fans are less than happy with Farage taking part, with nearly 10,000 people using the hashtag ‘Boycott I’m A Celeb’ in the past 24 hours.
Taking to X, social media users plead their case as to why they were taking action against the show.
Controversial signing: The former UKIP and Brexit party leader, 59, is taking part in this year’s series and is believed to be earning a bumper £1.5million for his appearance
Fans are less than happy with Farage taking part, with nearly 10,000 people using the hashtag ‘Boycott I’m A Celeb’ in the past 24 hours
One user wrote: ‘ITV notoriously choose the most heinous politicians. They secure these guests by promising to show ‘another side’ to them.
‘There are no other sides to sc**bags like Matt Hancock & Nigel Farage & attempts to rehabilitate them for the nation is propaganda. #BoycottImACeleb’.
‘Hancock was bad enough but I can’t even look at Farage. Do itv realise how many viewers they will lose with this decision? #BoycottImACeleb’, a second wrote.
A third user added: @ITV @antanddec @DecsMcpartlin I boycotted @imacelebrity when you put @MattHancock on your show. Now the odious @Nigel_Farage.
‘I’m livid that you give these people a voice, a platform and way to be seen. I can’t, I’m livid spitting feathers. #BoycottITV #Boycottimaceleb’.
A fourth expressed: ‘I wrote to @itv to complain about Farage going on #BoycottImACeleb . Have received a really pathetic, standard response from their team.
‘Please continue to email them. They need to understand quite how many people are totally p*ssed off with them.’
ITV has been contacted for comment.
It comes after Farage shared a throwback clip of I’m A Celebrity hosts Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly giving their opinion on the possibility of the politician joining the lineup.
Having their say: Nigel Farage has shared a throwback clip of I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! hosts Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly giving their opinion on the possibility of the politician joining the lineup
There has been much criticism lobbied at ITV for choosing to cast him and several petitions have been launched to get him removed, with others boycotting the show in protest.
I’m A Celeb’s hosts Ant and Dec have not commented on the lineup so far, but Nigel took to his Twitter on Tuesday to share an unearthed video of the duo discussing him being on the show.
Last year, the Geordies often joined livestreams with fans after the shows aired, to chat about the events of the latest episode and answer questions from viewers.
The clip Nigel shared saw one person suggest the politician enters the jungle one year, with And and Dec seeming to give their approval.
The video shows Dec saying: ‘Dan says Nigel Farage,’ with Ant responding: “‘Dan that is a very very good idea. Very good idea.’
Dec chimes in to add: ‘I’d like to see that.’
Alongside the clip, Nigel wrote: ‘Give the people what they want!’ with a pair of eyes emoji.
It comes after Nigel insisted he’s ready for whatever the jungle throws at him when he enters camp this week.
Addressing GB News viewers in a pre-recorded video on Monday, he said: ‘So the speculation is over, I am going into the jungle, but it’s okay because I am used to dealing with snakes and other horrible reptiles both in Brussels and here in Westminster – I’m sure I’ll be able to survive.’
He also revealed he was preparing for a life of enforced abstinence in the jungle by temporarily giving up booze and caffeine, five days before his flight to Australia.
Throwback: Ant and Dec have not commented on the lineup so far, but Nigel took to his Twitter on Tuesday to share an unearthed video of the duo discussing him being on the show
Stamp of approval: The clip Nigel shared saw one person suggest the politician enters the jungle one year, with And and Dec seeming to give their approval
Side eye: Alongside the clip, Nigel wrote: ‘Give the people what they want!’ with a pair of eyes emoji
Nigel said: ‘No there isn’t any booze in there, which is quite a serious situation in my view. Equally, and just as important funnily enough is tea and coffee.
‘So as a bit of training for going into the jungle I haven’t had an alcoholic drink, a cup of tea or coffee now for five days.’
Nigel claimed show producers first approached him seven years ago, shortly after Britain voted to leave the European Union following a referendum he vociferously supported.
‘They’ve asked me every year since 2016 to go in the jungle I always thought it’s not the right time for me to do it,’ he said.
‘But I can’t do it next year because we’ve got a general election, we’ve American presidential elections, so this year I am kind of free in a way to do it.’
He added: ‘You know, the (Brexit) referendum was a long time ago, there are a lot of young people who don’t know who I am, don’t know what I stand for.
‘This is my big chance to reach a really big audience of young people, which I think will be good for me and really good for GB News as well. That’s one reason for doing it.’
Nigel will be joined by an assortment of pop stars, actors and social media influencers when he lands in the jungle, among them TikTok star Nella Rose – a staunch leftist at odds with his right leaning political views.
All set: It comes after Nigel insisted he’s ready for whatever the jungle throws at him when he enters camp this week
Foreshadowing a potential clash with his imminent campmate, he added: ‘Worst nightmare? That’s easy – there’s thousands of them. Anyone who is an aggressive remoaner would be the worst nightmare.’
The broadcaster also insisted the main challenge will be stepping out of his comfort zone after years spent living in a political bubble.
‘I’ve lived on news, numbers, and information,’ he said. ‘To go away from that for several weeks is one really big challenge: to confront things that are obviously frightening but to have to deal with them and come through them.
‘The upsides are obvious. They’re obvious. You reach a whole new big audience, you test yourself in a way that you haven’t done for years, you make good money doing it.
‘The downsides – well look. It could be a complete, total car crash. A disaster. I might finish up having a fight with somebody – who knows! I might get voted out on the first round, I don’t know.
He added: ‘But I know that things could go very badly wrong and you’re on camera 24 hours a day, seven days a week for up to 22 days that the contestants are in the jungle. So of course a lot could go wrong.
‘But whoever did anything in life that was worthwhile without taking a risk?’
Possible clashes: Nigel will be joined by an assortment of pop stars, actors and social media influencers when he lands in the jungle
Nigel and Nella will join JLS star Marvin Humes, broadcaster Grace Dent, Made In Chelsea’s Sam Thompson, and This Morning host Josie Gibson in this year’s cast.
First Dates host Fred Sirieix, Hollyoaks actor Nick Pickard and singer and actress Jamie Lynn Spears – the younger sister of pop star Britney – are also joining the camp.
Retired jockey Frankie Dettori and boxer Tony Bellew have also been rumoured to be potential campmates, but entering as this series’ latecomers.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! aires at 9:00pm on ITV1 from November 19.
I’m A Celebrity 2023: Meet the campmates
NIGEL FARAGE
Claim to fame: Former leader of the UK Independence Party and leader of the Brexit Party.
Phobias: Nobody likes rats, snakes and I am dreading anything to do with heights.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel?: I have been demonised over the years and so it will be nice to show people I am not nasty.
Role in camp: Lead on starting up plenty of campfire discussions.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp?: A pint in the pub and the news.
Best & worst attributes: I hope to cheer people up when they are down. Worst? I am impatient and I do snore.
Dream camper: As a controversial political media figure, I never name names… But I am looking forward to meeting interesting people from all different fields
DANIELLE HAROLD
Claim to fame: EastEnders actress.
Phobias: Rats. I hate them!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I can be a little ditzy at times but I am definitely not a ‘dumb blonde’. I want to show I can do the trials, challenges and get stuck in.
Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on, help others if they are feeling low in camp.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Snacking. I am a little muncher and I am going to miss my morning cup of tea, too!
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I will be good if people are really struggling. I am not, however, very good at being bored, nor am I a morning person either.
Dream camper: Ed Sheeran. If he brings his guitar into camp, he can sing for us.
FRED SIRIEIX
Claim to fame: First Dates star.
Phobias: I am scared of everything. I am dying to find out how vile the food will be!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I don’t think there is anything but I am looking forward to learning more about myself during my time in the camp.
Role in camp: I will definitely muck in with all the jobs. I don’t mind cooking or cleaning the toilets.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My bed. It’s super comfy. I will also miss a cup of coffee in the morning.
Best & worst attributes: I like to have fun but I do snore and I am impatient!
Dream camper: It’s going to be nice to meet everyone but I’d love to see Dolly Parton, The Rock or Snoop Dog in there.
NELLA ROSE
Claim to fame: YouTuber and Catfish UK star.
Phobias: I am fearful of everything!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle? I am a pretty open book.
Role in camp: Keep the morale and humour high.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My phone… I am always on it!
Dream camper: Alison Hammond or Adele.
NICK PICKARD
Claim to fame: Hollyoaks star.
Phobias: I am a bit scared of the dark. When you go to the House of Horrors at Halloween and things jump out at you, I am not very good when I can’t see!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: It will be nice to go in as me and not as my Hollyoaks character.
Role in camp: Grafter or chef, I am quite good at cooking. But I’ve never cooked on a fire before. Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp: Football and my creature comforts.
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am a nice person and a good team player. I am not lazy but I do have a few bad habits like picking my nose. My girlfriend has been trying to train me to stop!
Dream camper: Sir Alex Ferguson or Neil Warnock.
JAMIE LYNN SPEARS
Claim to fame: Zoey 101 and Sweet Magnolias star.
Phobias: I am scared of everything.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I think this is a nice chance to show who I really am.
Role in camp: Hopefully I will be the one who can support everyone.
Aside from family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? A normal bathroom, air conditioning and my bed.
Best & worst attributes: I think my best quality is it takes a lot to hurt my feelings; but I am impatient and my family would say I get in a bad mood a lot.
Dream camper: Nicole Kidman, she is my favourite actress in the whole wide world, or Reece Witherspoon.
SAM THOMPSON
Claim to fame: Made In Chelsea star and radio presenter.
Phobias: I am not a creepy crawly guy and I hate anyone or anything touching my neck.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: Since the age of 21, I’ve spent my whole life on TV and so I feel whether people have a good or bad opinion of me, it’s probably warranted!
Role in camp: I’m a ‘yes’ man so cooking, cleaning I will do whatever they want me to do.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: I know this sounds lame but gaming.
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am the court jester and I don’t take things too seriously, so if anyone is having a bad day I would like to put a smile on their face. Worst? I am quite forgetful and I am bad at focusing on things.
Dream camper: Stephen Fry. I think I would self-combust if he was going in the jungle!
JOSIE GIBSON
Claim to fame: This Morning presenter.
Phobias: Insects and I freeze every time I see a spider and I am not sure what I am going to do if I am in a trial with them!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I would like people to know I am very clever at knowing useless information!
Role in camp: Mum. I am very motherly and I also love chatting to people.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Getting up to blow dry my hair and putting a bit of make-up on!
Best & worst attributes: I am an optimist and I love meeting people from all walks of life. Worst? I can be quite nosey and I am worried about my temper if I am too hungry.
Dream camper: Dawn French, I love her.
MARVIN HUMES
Claim to fame: JLS star.
Phobias: Heights. I have pulled out of a skydive with JLS in the past because I was too scared!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: To show I am not just a member of a boy band. It will be nice for people to learn more about me.
Role in camp: I’d like to think I will be a shoulder to cry on and a mediator.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: My fantasy football app! I am obsessed with it! Four weeks without music is a long time, too.
Best & worst attributes: I’ve got three children under the age of ten and you definitely need a lot of patience for that! Worst? Rochelle would probably say I get ‘hangry’ if I don’t have enough food.
Dream camper: Paddy McGuinness – I’ve done Soccer Aid with him before and I know he’s funny, he gets stuck in and he is hands on.
GRACE DENT
Claim to fame: MasterChef star and food critic.
Phobias: Horrible people.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: People think I am quite forthright and scary but I don’t think I am scary! Hopefully people will see this.
Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on and I am a practical cook so I can help out.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My three cats and my make-up bag. I love a bit of glamour.
Best & worst attributes: I would like to think I am funny! My worst quality is lack of sleep. I like my sleep.
Dream camper: Queen Camilla. She would be very practical. And Madonna – she could perform tracks from her Greatest Hits tour!
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