I’m a celebrity but I’m not going into the jungle, insists Alex Salmond
Alex Salmond has turned down the chance to appear on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! for the second time.
The former first minister, who lost his seat at Westminster at last month’s general election, said he did not want to take part in the TV series due to his “aversion to creepy crawlies”.
But the former SNP leader did not forgo the chance to poke fun at Theresa May, suggesting that she would soon be unemployed.
The Prime Minister is under increasing pressure after losing her narrow majority at the election and signing a controversial £1 billion deal with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
Although she has insisted she will stay on, there has been speculation that some Tories are plotting a leadership coup over the summer.
Mr Salmond is understood to have been offered a six-figure deal to star on the popular ITV show after losing his Gordon seat to the Conservatives, a national newspaper reported.
“I am still a big fan of the show but the answer has to be a reluctant ‘No, thank you’,” Mr Salmond said.
“I maintain my aversion to creepy-crawlies.
“In any case, I would not wish to take the place of Theresa May who should be available by October or so.”
It is the second time that the former SNP leader has turned down the chance to appear on the show, which sees contestants forced to take part in a series of gruelling and often disgusting jungle trials live on television.
Last year Mr Salmond said he would not be appearing in the line-up as it clashed with his work as an MP.
Tory MP Nadine Dorries caused controversy in 2012 when she decided to appear on the show while still MP for Mid-bedfordshire.
She was temporarily suspended by the party after flying to Australia to take part, but defended her decision by saying that the show reached millions of people.
The itvs how is due to return for a 17th series in December.