Politicians face I’m a Celeb ban after Nigel Farage promises war with ITV

Nigel Farage‘s threat of war against ITV bosses may prompt the makers of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here to ban politicians from the show.

The former MEP and Ukip leader lashed out on Monday, accusing the channel of “unpleasantries” and ITV boss Kevin Lygo of making derogatory comments about him.

Mr Farage came third on the ITV1 reality show with radio presenter Sam Thompson emerging as the winner in Sunday’s final. He went on to threaten war against the broadcaster.

Amid the furore over Mr Lygo’s alleged remarks, crew members have cast doubt as to whether the show will feature politicians in the future.

A source said I’m A Celeb has always cast “divisive” characters but show bosses may now think twice.

They told The Sun: “Nigel’s MO is all about making it seem like the establishment is against him but no one expected it to become that hand that fed him.

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“This is the problem with having politicians on. They are usually in it to further their political standing.

“Never say never, but it sounds like it has cast doubt high-up on having another politician on.”

Former health secretary Matt Hancock, Edwina Currie, former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale and ex-culture secretary Nadine Dorries have all entered the jungle in past productions.

The crew member’s comments echo those of show co-host Declan Donnelly who told Jungle Club that I’m a Celebrity needed a year without politicians. To which Ant McPartlin replied: “Agreed! Agreed!”

Dec said in response: “Let’s put that motion through shall we?”

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An ITV spokesman said: “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 23 series on air.

“There are no plans for this to change when the series returns to screens next year.”

Mr Farage, 59, said on Monday that he was prepared to ignore Mr Lygo’s allegedly “one-handed gestures” and “the rude pathetic attempts” from his staff to “stitch” him “up”.

He said: “If you really want to go to war with me, I don’t think it would do ITV share prices a lot of good.”

An average of 8.3 million people watched the show every night in the first two weeks of the series, ratings figures show.

It is a drop of more than two million on the same period last year when the footballer Jill Scott won.

The 2022 series attracted a higher audience than the previous year thanks to the intense media interest in Mr Hancock, who finished third.

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Speaking to hosts Ant and Dec after his exit from the show, Mr Farage explained his decision to take part in the show this year, after having been asked in previous years.

He said: “I had time to do it and I’m 60 next birthday and going to reach an age where you can’t do it.

“This is very physical, bringing buckets of water, doing the challenges, so now was the right time to do it and I’m very pleased I did.

“I did my best to show no fear at all in the challenges.”

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