Nigel Farage arrived in Australia yesterday to become I’m A Celeb’s highest-paid contestant ever – but admitted he was scared of ‘everything’ the show will throw at him.
The former Ukip leader and Brexit Party founder will be paid a staggering £1.5million for his time in the jungle, where he will be forced to eat pig testicles and drink deer blood as part of a series of Bushtucker Trials.
Despite the stomach-turning tasks ahead of him, Mr Farage looked happy and relaxed as he arrived at Brisbane airport, following a 20-hour flight from London, to become this year’s first confirmed campmate.
He may have been smiling because ITV bosses have promised him he can continue his habit of smoking at least ten cigarettes each day.
Sources close to Mr Farage have told the Mail that he will be able to smoke but not in front of the cameras.
Nigel Farage arrived in Australia yesterday to become I’m A Celeb ‘s highest-paid contestant ever – but admitted he was scared of ‘everything’ the show will throw at him
One said: ‘He will have to stick to behind the scenes. It is a huge relief to Nigel, who absolutely loves his fags.’
It is also likely he will be given special permission to avoid certain Bushtucker trials and challenges due to the injuries sustained to his spine following a plane crash back in 2010.
A source said: ‘It will be a miracle if you see Nigel jumping out of any aircraft.’ As well as the huge pay packet he’s picking up, Mr Farage said he was hoping his appearance on the show will help him engage with younger voters.
He added: ‘There’s a big young audience out there that watches the programme. I’ve been messing around with TikTok for the past couple of months and there are a lot of people out there interested in what I have to say.’
The former Ukip leader and Brexit Party founder will be paid a staggering £1.5million for his time in the jungle, where he will be forced to eat pig testicles and drink deer blood as part of a series of Bushtucker Trials
ITV bosses, meanwhile, are hoping their decision to break the bank for Mr Farage will ensure this series is as popular as last year’s, when former health secretary Matt Hancock’s arrival into the jungle boosted viewing figures, with a peak of 9.1million tuning in.
Those close to Mr Farage, meanwhile, insist he will be ‘worth every penny’ – particularly since his appearances on TikTok have helped him gain popularity among the younger generations.
A source claimed: ‘ITV needs him more than he needs them.
‘His TikTok has taken off in quite a big way and his social media presence on platforms that appeal to a younger audience has exponentially expanded.
‘One of ITV’s biggest priorities is to capture the younger viewers – so Nigel will be a huge driver for that.’
