Nigel Farage's mum claims Nella Rose was put into I'm A Celeb to confront him

02 December 2023 , 11:39

1018     0

Nella and Nigel haven't seen eye to eye in camp (Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

I'm A Celebrity campmate Nigel Farage's mother Barbara Stevens has spoken out about her son's appearance on the ITV show.

Former UKIP leader Farage, 59, is currently in the Australian jungle – slumming it alongside a string of other celebrities. His appearance on the programme has caused huge debate – with many fans furious that he was signed up and paid a reported £1.5 million to take part.

It wasn't just viewers who voiced concerns over the ex MEP's political views on social media as Farage has also been confronted by campmates Fred Sirieix and Nella Rose over his views on Brexit and immigration Farage has been confronted by Nella twice in camp – once over his views on immigration and another time when he made comments about cultural appropriation.

Nella, 26, was praised for how she handled the heated chat with the GB News presenter on cultural appropriation – but her row with Nigel over immigration, in which she said "why don't black people like you" attracted 856 Ofcom complaints. It's safe to say their debates in camp have sparked further conversations on social media and now the ex-politician's mother has spoken out.

Nella Rose and Nigel Farage have clashed over opposing political views (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Barbara claims the YouTube star has been placed on the programme to confront Farage. She told the Daily Mail: "Well, she wants publicity for herself... she wants publicity for her chat show."

Corrie's Sue Cleaver says I'm A Celebrity stint helped her to push boundaries

Farage's mother added: "I think she has been put in there to do it." She added of Nella: "She got on to immigration with Nigel and I think she was gunning for that, just to upset him. She was pressing his buttons to see his reaction."

However, not everyone agrees with the controversial politician's mother's sentiment – as Nella was praised by viewers for how she handled the difficult chat with Nigel about cultural appropriation. The heated exchange occurred after the former UKIP leader objected to campmates saying the word, 'water' in Patois.

Farage claimed that if a white person was to pronounce the word that way, they would be accused of racism. His provocative comment was instantly challenged by YouTube star Nella, who asked, "What do you mean, Nigel?"

Nella was praised for how she handled the conversation about cultural appropriation with Nigel (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

The Brexit Party founder and YouTuber Nella then engaged in a back and fourth as Farage suggested: "Sort of ‘can’t win’ territory," to which Nella repeated, "Nah, it just depends on the context."

EastEnders star Danielle Harold later praised Nella for her handling of the sensitive discussion, after admitting that she had previously found some of Farage's remarks on immigration to be 'inhumane'. Meanwhile, viewers also praised the YouTuber for how she handled the tense conversation with the ex UKIP leader.

One wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter : "It was only matter of time before Nigel finally let that mask slip Nella handled that situation so well. #ImaCeleb #ImACelebrityGetMeOutOfHere". Another added: " Nigel Farage trying to act like he’s on top of racism and just sticking his foot in it yet again I’m glad Danielle picked up on how Nella handled it, because she must be EXHAUSTED living with him #ImACeleb".

Amy Denman