I’m A Celeb in chaos as boycott plans trend on social media hours before launch

I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! has been thrown into chaos as angry viewer’s plans to boycott the programme are trending on X, formally Twitter.

Viewers are planning to “switch off” just hours before Sunday’s hotly anticipated live launch show on ITV over bosses’ decision to sign up former UKIP leader Nigel Farage. The ex-politician-turned-GB News presenter has reportedly been paid more than £1.5million to take part in this year’s series and fans are absolutely fuming.

“The more I think about ITV giving Nigel Farage air time, the angrier and more disgusted I am,” wrote one person, adding to the #BoycottImACeleb trend on X.com. “Ant and Dec should hang their heads in shame for allowing producers to give a platform to a racist, fascist con man who has done nothing but stoke hatred across our nation. They have the power to decide who appears on the show,” added another.

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. Another 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?”

Someone else 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.”

Britney Spears’ sister Jamie-Lynn, TV personality Sam Thompson, This Morning’s Josie Gibson, First Dates’ Fred Sirieix, YouTuber Nella Rose, former politician Nigel, food critic Grace Dent, JLS star Marvin Humes, EastEnders legend Danielle Harold, Hollyoaks star Nick Pickard make up this year’s star-studded I’m A Celeb line-up.

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