I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! may see a huge drop in ratings as some fans of the ITV show, which airs on Virgin Media in Ireland, have vowed to boycott it.
It comes after former UKIP leader Nigel Farage landed in Brisbane ahead of the upcoming series amid speculation ITV has paid him an eye-watering £1.5 million to take part in the show. Mr Farage, 59, has previously come under fire for his controversial comments on topics such as the Dunblane massacre to hitting out at working mums.
The former MEP has been accused of racism, sexism and xenophobia over the course of his career which has rattled viewers of the ITV show. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one viewer said: "Just so upset by this. Ant, Dec & ITV platforming a xenophobe who revels in whipping up division & poison. What has this country become?"
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A second added: "BOYCOTT.... ITV - seeing a rating drop is the only message that will register with the powers that be... Farage has been the architect of division & decline in our country, and his web of lies to achieve Brexit can never be forgotten." While a third commented: "Boycott #ImACeleb @ITV are sanitising the deplorable @Nigel_Farage. #NigelFarage does not reflect the nation's values!"
"I decided to avoid I'm a Celeb after they gave Matt Hancock a platform to excuse himself of all his wrongdoing and lawbreaking. This year, it's hatemonger Farage. Irresponsible, immoral, and greedy for viewing figures. #ImAceleb and Ant & Dec can #GetInTheBin," fumed another. Meanwhile, one disgraced fan added: "Shame on ITV for giving Farage a platform on one of its most popular shows. Pure evil vibes."
"Don't watch it, don't send them money in phone votes, don't reward the advertisers, and f**k Ant and Dec for platforming him, no matter how many oh-so-edgy winks to camera and cutting remarks they make," typed one viewer. Commenting on Matt Hancock's appearance last year, another added: "I'm boycotting this time. Real shame. Hancock was incompetent. Farage is a fascist. Huge difference."
Upon landing at Brisbane Airport, Mr Farage told the Mirror and other members of the media he was in Australia for a "surfing" holiday. He went on to reveal that he went tee-total for a week before heading to the jungle but confessed he may have given into a cheeky drink on the plane over.
Speaking at the airport, he added: "I can't confirm I am doing it but I might be. I just think there is a big young audience out there that watches the programme which is worth talking to. I have been messing about on TikTok for the last few months and you would be surprised, a lot of young people out there are interested in what I have got to say."
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