MP Fabricant turned down over £100,000 for ‘I’m a Celebrity’ Tory politician feared for party’s small majority
LICHFIELD MP Michael Fabricant has revealed he turned down more than £100,000 to appear in ITV’s I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.
The outspoken Conservative MP said he was forced to reject the eyewatering offer because he might have been needed in Parliament to defend the Government’s slender majority, if an important vote was called.
However, he said that he could have gone to the jungle if a Labour rival had joined him – and suggested deputy leader and West Bromwich East MP Tom Watson would have been a great fellow contestant.
Mr Fabricant would not divulge the exact offer made to him, but admitted it was ‘astonishing’ and if he had accepted he would not have drawn his MP’s salary for his month abroad.
He said: “It would have been great fun and I was seriously considering it. I’m a keen a walker and know that part of Australia very well – there are not a lot bugs or saltwater crocodiles there. But I am a bit squeamish about eating offal, so don’t know how I would have coped with a kangaroo’s balls and penis.”
Of the celebrities confirmed for this series, the MP said he would have loved to meet Carol Vordeman and actor Larry Lamb, especially as he is a huge fan of the comedy Gavin And Stacey.
“I’m sure the others would have all been very nice too,” he added.
Producers attempted to woo the MP and wined and dined him at the Lost and Found pub in Bennetts Hill in Birmingham city centre during the Conservative Party Conference last month.
“I just could not do it,” said Mr Fabricant. “We have a slender majority and there is a lot of important work to be done. We cannot allow them to slip back on Brexit.”
He even asked if he could be flown back to the UK in the event of a vital vote, but it was ruled impossible.
To get time off he would need to make a deal with an opposition Labour MP, who would also agree not to vote under the system known as pairing.
“I don’t think they would have two MPs in one series, but I would have loved to have gone in there with Tom Watson. I am sure he would be a great contestant,” he suggested.