All the politicians who've appeared on I'm A Celeb as Nigel Farage sparks fury
This year's edition of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! will see GB News presenter and former Ukip leader Nigel Farage entering the jungle, adding to the list of political figures who have taken part in the ITV reality show.
The controversial campmate - who has previously unsuccessfully stood for election to the House of Commons seven times - arrived in Australia last week ahead of making his debut on the show, with the former Brexit Party leader rumoured to have secured a £1.5million payment for his jungle stint.
Furious I'm A Celebrity fans have vowed to boycott this year's series of the show hosted by Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, with over 1,000 angry viewers already signing a petition and blasting ITV for inviting Farage on the show. As controversary swirls surrounding the former MEP's I'm A Celebrity jaunt, we take a look back at other politicians who have tackled a few Bushtucker Trials over the years.
Many I'm A Celebrity fans are furious with the decision to include Nigel Farage in this year's line-up (ITV)Matt Hancock
Former health secretary Matt Hancock, who resigned from his position in June 2021 after breaking his own Covid-19 guidance, entered the jungle in 2022 and finished in third place. His time in the Australian jungle led to him being stripped of the Tory whip and drew criticism from the Prime Minister and MPs across the political spectrum.
He was also criticised by constituents and colleagues over his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Ahead of arriving in camp, Hancock defended his decision to ditch his constituents in favour of camping with celebrities by claiming he was planning to donate his £320,000 appearance fee to charity.
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However, Hancock donated less than 3% of his fee to good causes, with his spokesperson telling the Mirror last year: "As well as raising the profile of his dyslexia campaign in front of 11-million viewers, Matt's donated £10,000 to St Nicholas Hospice in Suffolk and the British Dyslexia Association, off the back of his appearance on 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here'."
Edwina Currie
The Conservative MP for South Derbyshire from 1983 until 1997, joined the reality show during its 14th season. The 77 year old, who also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2011, joined the reality show as a late entry alongside X-Factor star Jake Quickenden.
The former junior health minister finished fourth in the competition, but not before becoming involved in a couple of heated situations. During the series, Currie found herself in a number of bust-ups with her fellow campmate, American reality star Kendra Wilkinson, and memorably shocked the other contestants with her prolonged shouting of "Mel" in an attempt to get the attention of campmate Melanie Sykes.
Stanley Johnson
Former Conservative MEP Stanley Johnson braved the Australian jungle as part of the show's 17th series. The father of former prime minister Boris Johnson formed an unlikely friendship with Made In Chelsea star Georgia "Toff" Toffolo, who went on to be crowned Queen of the Jungle that year.
After meeting on the show, 83 year old Mr Johnson, and Ms Toffolo, 29, went on to star in a number of other reality shows together, including Celebrity Hunted and Celebrity Antiques Road Trip.
Johnson was a controversial campmate (PA Media)
As was Dorries (PA Media)Nadine Dorries
Nadine Dorries took part in I'm A Celebrity in 2012, the first sitting MP to appear on the show, but was suspended by the Conservative Party for her appearance.
She later apologised to the House of Commons over the fee she was paid for appearing in the popular programme, which saw her become the first contestant voted out of the jungle by the public.
Lembit Opik
In 2010, former MP Lembit Opik became the second campmate to be voted off I'm A Celebrity. The Liberal Democrat managed to stay in the Australian jungle for two weeks, during which he was bitten by a snake while doing a task. The 58 year old has also been on celebrity versions of The Apprentice and Come Dine With Me.
Robert Kilroy-Silk
Former Labour MP and MEP Robert Kilroy-Silk didn't have much luck in the I'm A Celebrity jungle in 2008. The ex-chat show host only lasted 12 days in the jungle after being pitted against former Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner Brian Paddick in the public vote.
Kezia Dugdale
Kezia Dugdale, the former Scottish Labour leader, made her way into the jungle in 2017 joining Conservative MEP Johnson. After being the second one to be eliminated, Dugdale, 42, confessed she knew her appearance was a "political gamble" but wanted to debunk the "myth" that all politicians are "old, white, male, pale and stale". She wasn't initially given permission by political bosses to participate but didn't end up facing suspension from the party.
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