The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
It’s ‘croc creek’ for Kezia as she keeps her cool
I’m A Celebrity: Former party leader stays steady as creepy crawlies rain down
Kezia Dugdale entered “croc creek” for the first time as both teams were reunited on I’m a Celebrity last night.
Prior to that the former Scottish Labour leader kept her cool in a challenge where she had to keep her balance and a box steady – all while having creepy crawlies dropped on top of her.
However, she fared considerably better than her team-mate Vanessa White, who shrieked and recoiled when bugs fell on her.
Kezia was the only celebrity not to receive a “care package” from home, which included comfort foods and pillows for the other contestants.
Despite taking that news well, remarking that it was “fair enough” as she had only been there for two days, she did later admit to the camera that she was “a bit jealous” watching the others open theirs.
However, Scottish Labour’s new leader has said he does not think Kezia Dugdale’s appearance on I’m A Celebrity...get Me Out Of Here! is “a good way of getting across the message of socialism on television”.
Richard Leonard has previously expressed his disappointment at his predecessor’s decision to appear on the reality TV show.
The party has said she will not be suspended over her decision to take “an unauthorised leave of absence” to head to the Australian jungle, but will be interviewed by party chiefs once she has returned.
Ms Dugdale has said the ITV show seemed like an “amazing opportunity to talk to millions of people about the Labour Party, its values and how it is different”.
However Mr Leonard told ITV’S Good Morning Britain: “I realise that it’s a very popular programme, which is seen by millions of people.
“I think it’s got the highest viewer ratings over the course of the last week. I’m not down playing the reach that the programme has.
“I’m not sure the circumstances in which it presents politicians is the one that certainly I would choose and I’m not sure it’s a good way of getting across the message of socialism on television.”
A spokesman for Kezia Dugdale said: “Kez hasn’t been able to personally congratulate Richard on his victory, but sends him her very best wishes.
“Kez hopes her Labour values will shine through while she is in the jungle and it will demonstrate that politicians are human beings.
“But her main focus will be returning to work as Labour MSP for the Lothians, a job she fully intends to do for the longterm.”