Nigel Farage is hopeful he stands a chance at winning I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)
Nigel Farage believes it would be ‘enormous fun’ if he was able to take out the title on the upcoming season of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!
The former UKIP leader is now Down Under preparing for his stint in the jungle alongside other famous faces including Josie Gibson, Sam Thompson, and Jamie Lynn Spears.
However, his casting has been met with significant backlash, with some even calling for viewers to boycott the series.
But none of this seems to have fazed Farage, 59, who is pushing ahead with his plans to enter camp.
Ahead of cameras rolling, he’s said he is going to ‘travel optimistically’ to see how he fares.
To win, he explained, would be enormous fun.
He is set to enter the jungle this weekend (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)
‘I have no idea how I am going to react,’ he shared ahead of the challenge.
‘It was a pretty mixed reaction from my family, but it would be enormous fun to win.
‘It is entirely in the hands of the viewers. I am going to travel optimistically and see what happens!’
Reflecting on why he thought viewers would vote for him, he said: ‘Given millions hate me, I do expect people will vote for me to do trials!’
He went on to say that he believed he’d been ‘a little bit demonised’ over the years and was hoping those who have strong feelings might warm to him a little during his appearance on the reality series.
However, he did acknowledge it was a ‘gamble’.
The former politician believes he might face a ‘frosty’ reception (Picture: Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)
‘The idea that somehow the things I represent – mean-spirited, small-minded, nasty, the “little Englander” – all those accusations that have been flung at me over the years just aren’t true. If we can dispel some of those misconceptions, then that will be a good thing too,’ he added.
But, he did admit he was unsure how his fellow campmates would react when seeing him, saying he thought their first interactions could be ‘frosty’.
Following in the footsteps of former health secretary Matt Hancock, who Farage said went into the jungle with his ‘reputation on the floor’, it was revealed this week he is set to become the highest-paid campmate ever.
He is reported to have negotiated a £1.5 million deal for his appearance, after first being approached by ITV all the way back in 2016 following the Brexit referendum.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 2023 starts on November 19 on ITV1 and ITVX.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Ant and Dec face pressure to address I’m A Celebrity backlash
MORE : I’m A Celebrity stars already have an explosive feud before ‘heading into jungle together’
‘It would be enormous fun to win!’