I'm A Celeb fans say 'when will they learn' at Farage twist in first episode

19 November 2023 , 23:00

536     0

I'm A Celebrity fans made their feelings about Nigel Farage clear as he entered the jungle this evening - and it looks like he could be facing a fair few trials (Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

I'm A Celebrity fans have fumed 'when will you learn' as Nigel Farage made his debut tonight.

The politician is appearing on this 2023 series of the Australian jungle show and has caused quite a stir since his name was announced. Fans of the ITV show have threatened to boycott the show whilst others have called on hosts Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly to speak out about the signing, as they call for him to be removed from the line-up.

Despite the backlash, Farage made his debut this evening - and fans made their feelings about him very clear earlier on as he was picked to do the first voted trial of the series alongside YouTube star Nella Rose.

Farage had to get straight stuck into the trials tonight (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Taking to Twitter, one fan wrote: "When will the public learn that the best thing to do with politicians on #ImACeleb is to not vote them for the trials?! A trial means more airtime. Starve them of oxygen and they won’t be in it as much to rehabilitate their image.," whilst a second added: "stop voting for nigel farage and giving him air time, he might be good at the trials and win over the public don’t fall for it #imaceleb #imacelebrity." A third shared: "Nigel is already getting the votes for the trials. He couldn't be happier taking up all that airtime. #ImACeleb," with a fourth writing: "Guys please don't vote Farage to do all the trials it just gives him the screen time he wants it's bad enough that people wanted to boycott this year. There are others who would have been perfect for that trial."

Farage was always expecting to be voted for multiple trials, after Matt Hancock was handed the same fate last year. He said in his pre-jungle interview: "Given millions hate me, I do expect people will vote for me to do trials! My crime was to stand against an establishment view and I was for many years the lone voice saying Europe wasn’t where we should be, so I have been a little bit demonised. I am hoping those who hate me might hate me a little bit less afterwards. But it’s a gamble.

TOWIE's Chloe Brockett makes cheeky dig at Saffron Lempriere during filming

"And the idea that somehow the things I represent - mean-spirited, small-minded, nasty, the ‘little Englander’ - all those accusations that have been flung at me over the years just aren’t true. If we can dispel some of those misconceptions, then that will be a good thing too," adding he was scared of heights and was generally feeling apprehensive ahead of the show's return.

Farage also said he was interested to see how the other campmates perceived him. "What will be interesting is the perception the other campers will have of me. They will go in with their preconceived ideas and it might be a little bit frosty - we will just have to see. I can’t pretend to be anyone other than who I am, I never have. But I survived for 20 years in the European Parliament with all sorts of people trying to trip me up so I am used to that!" he shared ahead of the programme.

*Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on , , , , and .

Jasmine Allday