14 November 2023 , 22:37
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ITV are seemingly planning to make Nigel Farage front and centre of I'm A Celebrity launch despite backlash.
Nigel Farage will be part of a huge new task - in a show first - as he heads to Ayers Rock with This Morning star Josie Gibson and Nella Rose for the opening of the show. It is 2,000 miles away from the camp and will be a big part of the opening challenge.
He will be tasked with trying to win time for camp alongside his jungle counterparts, it has been reported, with sources suggesting that Farage will need to help win time for the campmates, who are taking part in other challenges more locally to camp.
The scenes are set to air on Monday evening and bosses have teased they will be "bigger and better" than ever.
Will you be boycotting I'm A Celeb over Nigel Farage? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
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"It’s a huge series opener for Monday, bigger and better than ever. A lot of thought went into who was best to pair with Nigel to create the best TV and bosses reckon they’re a magic trio," a source told The Sun, "It’s the huge series opener and with the never seen before out-of-Queensland twist, it’s clear that ITV haven’t come to play this year - it truly is bigger and better than ever."
Fans have threatened to boycott the show - and are putting pressure on hosts Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly to speak out. ITV have released a statement defending the decision to cast Farage in the latest series: "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."
Upon landing at Brisbane Airport, Farage told The Mirror and other members of the media he was in Australia for a "surfing" holiday. 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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