From Matt Hancock to Nigel Farage: Politicians that have stirred up controversy on I’m A Celebrity

Nigel Farage is following in Matt Hancock’s footsteps (Picture: ITV/Getty/HGL/GC Images))

GB News star and former Ukip leader Nigel Farage is entering the I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! 2023 jungle in just hours – and fans are already fuming.

The 59–year-old has jetted off to Australia and will be joining the likes of This Morning’s Josie Gibson, Sam Thompson, and Jamie Lynn Spears as he takes on Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly’s bushtucker trials.

Viewers have been left less than impressed with Farage’s inclusion in the reality programme, who is rumoured to be breaking a record and becoming the highest-paid campmate ever.

And while they may be hoping he’s the last, he’s certainly not the first politician in the jungle.

Here’s a look back at political figures who have taken part in the reality programme before…

Matt Hancock

Former health secretary Hancock finished in third place (Picture: James Gourley/ITV/Shutterstock)

Former health secretary Matt Hancock resigned from his position as health secretary in June 2021 after it emerged he had broken his own Covid-19 guidance by kissing and embracing his aide, Gina Coladangelo, in his office.

The 45-year-old entered the jungle months later, and came in third place behind Lioness Jill Scott and soap star Owen Warner.

His stint in the Australian jungle saw him stripped of the Tory whip and prompted criticism from the Prime Minister and MPs across the political spectrum.

Hancock’s appearance on the reality show saw him grilled over his handling of the pandemic by his campmates, including Charlene White, and sparked hundreds of Ofcom complaints.

It was later revealed that Hancock was paid £320,000 for 30 days work in the jungle, after reports suggested the final amount could reach £400,000.

Edwina Currie

Edwina Currie appeared on I’m A Celebrity in 2014 (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)

Edwina Currie, the Conservative MP for South Derbyshire from 1983 until 1997, entered the jungle during the 14th season of I’m A Celebrity.

The 77-year-old, who also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2011, joined the reality show as a late entry alongside X-Factor star Jake Quickenden.

The former junior health minister finished fourth in the competition, but not before becoming involved in a couple of heated situations.

During the series, Currie found herself in a number of bust-ups with her fellow campmate, American reality star Kendra Wilkinson, and memorably shocked the other contestants with her prolonged shouting of ‘Mel’ in an attempt to get the attention of campmate Melanie Sykes.

Following I’m A Celebrity, Currie appeared on Hell’s Kitchen, Celebrity Wife Swap, Celebrity Come Dine With Me and Celebrity Stars In Their Eyes.

When asked why she took part in I’m A Celeb, she said: ‘Whenever anyone asks me that, I say there is only one answer: money. That is why you do it. But they did not pay me enough – I reckon I was worth twice as much.

‘In three weeks I earned close to £100,000. But if you really do not like bugs, there is no money that can make it worthwhile.’

Stanley Johnson

The politician sparked an unlikely friendship with Made In Chelsea’s Toff (Picture: James Gourley/REX/Shutterstock)

Former Conservative MEP Stanley Johnson, and father of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, braved the Australian jungle as part of the show’s 17th series.

The 83-year-old sparked an unlikely friendship with Made In Chelsea star and Queen of the Jungle that year Georgia ‘Toff’ Toffolo, with the pair going on to star in a number of other reality shows together, including Celebrity Hunted and Celebrity Antiques Road Trip.

Dishing out advice ahead of Hancock’s time in the jungle last year, Johnson recalled: ‘Get your hand up quick – Ant or Dec, I was never able to distinguish between them – they come in and… you’ve got to get your hand up because if you don’t, you miss the chance to eat a bull’s testicle for example.

‘Go for it, frankly it’s just food, it’s calories and its totally edible.’

Nadine Dorries

Nadine Dorries was the first sitting MP on the show (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)

Nadine Dorries took part in I’m A Celebrity in 2012, the first sitting MP to appear on the show.

She starred alongside the likes of The Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts, boxer David Haye and EastEnders’ Charlie Brooks, who won the series, but her journey was short-lived as she became the first candidate to get the boot.

Dorries found herself in hot water when she landed in the UK, after failing to inform the Conservative chief whip or the chairman of her local party of her plans to appear.

She was later suspended for not declaring the fees she received, before being reinstated in May, 2013.

Earlier this week, Dorries, 66, offered her thoughts on Farage’s upcoming appearance, saying on Good Morning Britain: ‘I think Nigel will do very, very well.

‘He’s got the chutzpah, he’s got the personality, I think he’ll do very well.’

Dorries, who has also appeared on Channel 4 reality programme Tower Block of Commons in 2010, went on to say that her time on I’m A Celebrity ‘upset David Cameron a lot’ but also gave her ‘power’.

Lembit Opik

Lembit Opik appeared on the show in 2010 (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)

In 2010, former MP Lembit Opik became the second campmate to be voted off I’m A Celebrity.

The Liberal Democrat survived for two weeks in the Australian jungle, during which time he endured a nasty encounter with a snake, when both he and Shaun Ryder were bitten during a Bushtucker trial.

The 58-year-old has also appeared in celebrity versions of The Apprentice and Come Dine With Me.

Robert Kilroy-Silk

Robert Kilroy-Silk was also unsuccessful in the jungle (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)

Former Labour MP and MEP Robert Kilroy-Silk had an unsuccessful stint in the I’m A Celebrity jungle in 2008.

The ex-chat show host survived just 12 days in the jungle after going up against former Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner Brian Paddick in the public vote.

Kezia Dugdale

Kezia Dugdale joined Johnson in the jungle in 2017 (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)

Former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale made an appearance in the jungle in 2017 – joining Conservative MEP Johnson.

After being eliminated second, Dugdale, 42, admitted she knew her appearance was a ‘political gamble’ but said she wanted to tackle the ‘myth’ that all politicians are ‘old, white, male, pale and stale’.

She was initially denied permission by political bosses to take part but did not ultimately face suspension from the party.

I’m A Celebrity launches tonight, Sunday November 19, at 9pm on ITV.

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