Nigel Farage feels that winning the championship on the forthcoming season of I’m A Celebrity would be ‘enormous joy’…I Need to Get Out of Here!
The former UKIP leader is now in Australia, preparing for his time in the jungle among celebrities such as Josie Gibson, Sam Thompson, and Jamie Lynn Spears.
However, his casting has sparked much criticism, with some even urging fans to boycott the show.
But none of this appears to have deterred Farage, 59, from proceeding with his intentions to enter camp.
Before the cameras start rolling, he says he’ll ‘travel optimistically’ to see how he does.
He said that winning would be a lot of fun.
‘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 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.
He did, however, remark that he was unsure how his other campmates would respond when they saw him, predicting that their first contacts would be “frosty.”
Following in the footsteps of former health secretary Matt Hancock, who Farage said arrived in the jungle with his “reputation on the floor,” it was reported this week that he is likely to become the highest-paid campmate ever.
He is said to have negotiated a £1.5 million contract for his appearance after being approached by ITV in 2016 following the Brexit referendum.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 2023 starts on November 19 on ITV1 and ITVX.
