Ant and Dec, the hosts of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, have recommended that politicians no longer be included in the show. During an Instagram Q&A, Dec stated that he believes the show should go “a year without any politicians,” a suggestion that Ant agreed with. Farage, who is currently participating in the show, is the most recent political figure to do so, following health secretary Matt Hancock’s appearance in the previous season. Despite accusations of “demonizing migrants” and adding fuel to Brexit’s fire, Farage has been defended by fellow contestants after clashing with them about his political beliefs.
BBC News reached out to Farage’s spokesperson, as well as to Ant and Dec, for comment. ITV declined to comment when asked about the duo’s proposal. Other political figures, including Robert Kilroy-Silk, Nadine Dorries, Edwina Currie, Kezia Dugdale, and Stanley Johnson, have also had stints in the jungle in previous series. Despite their inclusion, this year’s premiere has only attracted seven million viewers, down from nearly 12 million during the previous season’s premiere episode.
Hancock’s appearance on the show caused a public outcry, resulting in his suspension as a Conservative MP; party managers opposed his decision to participate in a reality TV show while Parliament was sitting. In contrast, Hancock hoped to highlight dyslexia and prove that politicians are human beings. He was paid £320,000 for his involvement, according to the register of MPs’ financial interests. Farage is estimated to earn £1.5 million for taking part in this year’s series, stating that he is “a hero” to some but “an absolute villain” to millions of others
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