Nigel Farage reveals why he’s ‘seriously considering’ going on I’m A Celebrity – after jungle queen Georgia Toffolo ‘helped broker ex-Ukip leader’s deal with ITV’: ‘I’m used to tough times and living with snakes’
Nigel Farage has revealed he’s ‘seriously considering’ going on I’m A Celebrity – after previous Queen of the Jungle Georgia Toffolo helped broker a big money deal for the politician worth up to £1million.
The former Ukip leader, 59, said he has turned down requests since 2016, but has been in contractual talks with ITV. He joked his time at the European Parliament meant he was ‘used to tough times and living with snakes of all sizes’.
On his GB News show last night, Mr Farage said he was considering it this time round as he feels he might be able to ‘connect’ with a younger audience.
He said: ‘Several times since 2016 I’ve had I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! from ITV saying to me ”Come into the jungle”.
‘And they’ve always offered me really quite substantial sums of money to do so, and I have always thought ”No, it’s probably not the right thing for me to do”.
A mocked-up version of Nigel Farage as a contestant on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here
Georgia Toffolo – known best as Toff – won the show in 2017 and is said to be personally managing negotiations between ITV and Mr Farage
An ITV source claimed the I’m A Celebrity presenters Ant and Dec would ‘love’ the prospect of Mr Farage appearing on the show
The politician-turned-TV presenter said the show has approached him again this year but that ‘unlike previous years’ he is ‘giving it very, very serious consideration’.
Mr Farage said: ‘Well, you’ve got about 10 million young people who watch that programme.
‘These are people who don’t really watch the news or read newspapers, but they still care about the country they live in and their futures.
‘And actually, in many ways, the futures of young people in Britain had been blighted.
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‘They haven’t got the same opportunities that their parents and grandparents had and they’d love to look for solutions.
‘So in my mind, if I was to do it, I might be able to connect with that audience because goodness me they all watch I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’
He added that he feels there are ”downsides” to him doing the show but said he would give an ‘absolute definitive answer within the next 48 hours’.
Georgia Toffolo – known best as Toff – won the show in 2017 and is said to be personally managing negotiations between ITV and Mr Farage,
She is known to be friends with the politician and dated his former aide, the financier George Cottrell – known as ‘Posh George’.
Toff, who made her name appearing on Made In Chelsea, owns the company Visionary Talent Agency.
An ITV insider said: ‘It was certainly a first, a former I’m A Celeb winner brokering a deal for another contestant.
‘Nigel has been offered the chance to go to the jungle several times but Toff has made it happen this time. Everyone involved in the deal is thrilled.
‘It is most definitely a goodie.’
Last night, Mr Farage joked he’d be well prepared for the show due to the ‘ghastly people’ he dealt with during his time as a member of the European Parliament.
Mr Farage joked that he’d be well prepared for the show due to the ‘ghastly people’ he dealt with during his time as a member of the European Parliament
Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock was widely mocked when he appeared on I’m A Celeb last year
Last year former Lioness Jill Scott (pictured centre) won the crown and title
‘In the last few months in Brussels coffee bars wouldn’t serve me, restaurants wouldn’t serve me and even my favourite pub said ”we can’t serve you anymore, Mr Farage, because we’ll lose all our business,” he told GB News.
‘So I’m used to going through tough times and living with snakes of all different sizes.
‘In previous years I’ve ruled it out completely. This year I’m in a conversation with them, they’ve sent me a contract – I’m going to have a serious read of it.
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‘I might do it, I might not, but I’m giving it very serious consideration. It’s a massive programme watched by a vast number of people who care about their lives and where they going but aren’t engaged in politics. I’m giving it real thought.’
A spokesman for the show said: ‘Any names suggested for I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! are just speculation. We’ll announce our line-up in due course.’
Mr Farage remains an honorary president of Reform UK, a right-wing political party led by Richard Tice.
Aside from his time in politics, Mr Farage has his own show on GB News and has appeared on BBC comedy panel show Have I Got News For You and various talk shows.
Political figures have had mixed results competing on I’m A Celebrity.
Former health secretary Matt Hancock came third in the 2022 series, while Nadine Dorries, who was culture secretary under Boris Johnson, was eliminated by the public first in 2012.
Both lost the Conservative whip, which means sitting as an independent in the House of Commons, for taking part in the show.
Ms Dorries later had it returned and apologised in Parliament over the fee she was paid for appearing.
Jockey Frankie Dettori, 52, has been tipped to be heading to Australia for the next I’m A Celeb
Former Big Brother winner Josie Gibson is another name rumoured for the 2023 line-up and is thought to have signed a six figure deal
Former MPs including Edwina Currie in 2014, Lembit Opik in 2010 and Robert Kilroy-Silk in 2008 have also been on the show.
The Sun has claimed that former prime minister Liz Truss, who resigned last year, and her briefly-serving chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng, are also being considered for the jungle.
READ MORE – Hollyoaks’ longest serving cast member ‘in talks to appear on I’m A Celebrity
Other rumoured contestants include This Morning star Josie Gibson and Love Island star Olivia Attwood, who competed last year but had to head home early.
Ms Attwood, 32, was forced to withdraw after a routine blood test showed she had low sodium and potassium levels, while also flagging anaemia.
There has also been speculation that Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson could also be a campmate, after his partner Zara McDermott competed in the latest Strictly Come Dancing series.
Other celebrities who might be in the new series include jockey Frankie Dettori, weather presenter Alex Beresford and former The Big Breakfast presenter Denise Van Outen.
The show will return to ITV1 and ITVX later this year with long-term hosts Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly fronting it.
A source said: ‘Nigel has been at the top of the wish-list for I’m A Celeb bosses for years.
‘They’ve offered him a huge fee as they know he’ll drive up viewing figures. Ant and Dec will love this signing.
‘Nigel’s the ultimate Marmite character and won’t hold back in camp discussions.’
While his fee has not been revealed, it is suggested he may be set to earn a similar total to Boy George, who was speculated to have earned £900,000 during his jungle stint last year.
Producers believe signing Mr Farage will ensure another successful season, especially after the attention garnered by Mr Hancock who took part last year.
Regarding his previous stance on I’m A Celebrity, the former Ukip leader had publicly declined multiple offers, expressing concerns about the show’s potentially humiliating nature.
However, he also acknowledged that one should never say never.
Speaking on his GB News show last year, Farage said: ‘I have been approached several times by I’m a Celebrity . . . Get Me Out of Here! and I’ve always ruled it out.
‘I’ve never thought it would be a good thing to do.
‘I thought it’s all rather humiliating, frankly. But I suppose you can never ever say never.’
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