Nigel Farage reportedly in talks to join I’m a Celebrity …
Nigel Farage is reported to be in advanced negotiations to join the television reality show I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! in a deal worth up to £1m.
The former leader of Ukip and the Brexit party has been courted by the ITV show several times in the past, but has ruled out an appearance saying the show was “humiliating”.
However, he may be tempted by the size of the fee being floated. Farage, a controversial public figure, is likely to attract large numbers of viewers and publicity for the programme.
A spokesperson for the show said: “Any names suggested for I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! are just speculation. We’ll announce our lineup in due course.”
Contestants for the programme are customarily revealed shortly before the start of the series, which is hosted by Ant and Dec and filmed in Australia. The 2023 series is expected to begin airing later this year.
Last year, Matt Hancock, the former health secretary, was paid £320,000 for his appearance on I’m a Celebrity. The politician, who was forced to resign from the government for breaking Covid rules, donated 3% of the fee to charity, according to the register of MPs’ financial interests.
Other politicians, ex-politicians and relatives of politicians to star on the show include Nadine Dorries, who was censured by the parliamentary standards committee for failing to declare her fee for appearing in 2012, Edwina Currie, who appeared in 2014, and Stanley Johnson, former PM Boris Johnson’s father, who appeared in 2017.
Farage’s possible inclusion in the next series is reportedly being negotiated by the Visionary Talent Agency. The company, which represented Georgia Toffolo, the 2017 winner of I’m a Celebrity, has been contacted for comment.
Last year, Farage confirmed he had been approached several times by I’m a Celebrity. “I’ve always ruled it out. I’ve never thought it would be a good thing to do,” he said on his GB News show.
“I thought it’s all rather humiliating, frankly. But I suppose you can never ever say never.”
This year’s lineup is also rumoured to include Frankie Dettori, the jockey, Josie Gibson, presenter of This Morning and Fred Sirieix of First Dates.
Hancock’s appearance last year infuriated some, who said his participation made him unable to represent his constituents as an MP.
As a result of the appearance, he lost the Tory whip. The prime minister, Rishi Sunak, said he was “disappointed” at Hancock’s decision to travel to Australia.
Hancock finished in third place.