ITV responds to Nigel Farage I'm A Celeb backlash as boycott petition launched
He's only just landed in Australia and there's already been calls to stop former UKIP leader Nigel Farage's appearance on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
The ex-MEP turned GB News presenter touched down at Brisbane Airport on Sunday, ahead of his stint in the jungle with Ant and Dec and a star-studded line-up of already confirmed famous faces, including This Morning's Josie Gibson, Made in Chelsea's Sam Thompson and First Dates foodie star Fred Sirieix.
Campaigners are calling to boycott this year's show on ITV, kicking off on November 19, over rumours production bosses have paid Farage over £1.5million to join this year's list of famous faces. More than 1,000 people have sent complaints to Ant and Dec who are already down under ahead of filming and further celebrity arrivals.
The countdown is on to the 23rd series of I'm A Celeb (James Gourley/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)ITV has now responded to the backlash, saying in a statement: "I’m A Celebrity has always featured a diverse cast from all areas of public life and has a history of featuring political figures throughout its 20 years on screen. As with any camp mate, viewers are invited to form their own opinions when the show begins on Sunday."
Naomi Smith, CEO of Best for Britain, said: "While the thought of Farage mingling with other creepy-crawlies may seem appropriate, anything that normalises or amplifies his toxic views must be opposed. After a weekend that saw police injured at the hands of a far-right mob, and after years of his politics poisoning our society, we want the public to send a clear message to Ant and Dec, ITV and the media at large, that giving a divisive populist like Farage a nightly primetime platform is not good for our country."
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Farage has been accused of racism, sexism and xenophobia over the course of his career which has rattled viewers of the ITV show. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one viewer said: "Just so upset by this. Ant, Dec & ITV platforming a xenophobe who revels in whipping up division & poison. What has this country become?"
A second added: "BOYCOTT.... ITV - seeing a rating drop is the only message that will register with the powers that be... Farage has been the architect of division & decline in our country, and his web of lies to achieve Brexit can never be forgotten." While a third commented: "Boycott #ImACeleb @ITV are sanitising the deplorable @Nigel_Farage. #NigelFarage does not reflect the nation's values!"
"I decided to avoid I'm a Celeb after they gave Matt Hancock a platform to excuse himself of all his wrongdoing and lawbreaking. This year, it's hatemonger Farage. Irresponsible, immoral, and greedy for viewing figures. #ImAceleb and Ant & Dec can #GetInTheBin," fumed another. Meanwhile, one disgraced fan added: "Shame on ITV for giving Farage a platform on one of its most popular shows. Pure evil vibes."
"Don't watch it, don't send them money in phone votes, don't reward the advertisers, and f**k Ant and Dec for platforming him, no matter how many oh-so-edgy winks to camera and cutting remarks they make," typed one viewer. Commenting on Matt Hancock's appearance last year, another added: "I'm boycotting this time. Real shame. Hancock was incompetent. Farage is a fascist. Huge difference."
Upon landing at Brisbane Airport, Mr Farage told The Mirror and other members of the media he was in Australia for a "surfing" holiday. He went on to reveal that he went tee-total for a week before heading to the jungle but confessed he may have given into a cheeky drink on the plane over.
Speaking at the airport, he added: "I can't confirm I am doing it but I might be. I just think there is a big young audience out there that watches the programme which is worth talking to. I have been messing about on TikTok for the last few months and you would be surprised, a lot of young people out there are interested in what I have got to say."
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