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I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! is usually a ratings winner for ITV – but viewing figures appear to be down this year.
Some have speculated that this drop was due to former Ukip leader Nigel Farage making his reality TV debut on the show – prompting many fans to announce their intention to boycott the series.
Despite the uproar, Independent readers were divided when we asked them how they felt about seeing the controversial former politician on their TV screens.
While some said they would refuse to watch while Farage was in the jungle, others said he “wouldn’t put me off” and described him as “a breath of fresh air”.
Here’s what they had to say:
‘Such a shame’
Yes, Farage did it for me. I refuse to watch it because he’s in there. And the reports that he is receiving the highest celebrity status ever disgusts me. Such a shame.
From that
“Farage wouldn’t put me off”
No. I watched the first movie but haven’t followed it since. If I followed him, Farage wouldn’t put me off.
boys
“It’s time we look at non-celebrities”
For me, it’s not a single person – it’s the fatigue of watching entitled people be vocal and attention-seeking to advance their own interests and careers. If YouTubers are considered acceptable newcomers, then politicians must be too. I find Nella more repulsive than Farage. They both do the same thing, but he’s just more subtle and slimy (no surprise there).
We need to continue to hear opposing opinions to challenge ourselves and broaden perspectives to include politicians – even if this exacerbates our increasing deference to popularity politics over values and ideologies.
I always watch, but I think it’s time we watch non-celebrities too – much more authentic and therefore more interesting! That being said, I personally thought Hancock would certainly be more divisive given the rawness of COVID emotions, but viewership didn’t drop that much.
ScotinBritain
‘Vulgar’
I admit that I think Farage is a very loud, vulgar idiot. I suspect that the volume of its oral cavity occupies part of the volume of the brain in our standard model.
He was an EU representative who wanted out! Bite the hand that feeds him! Did he reject the great benefits granted to MEPs? (And will he receive a pension from the generous EU pension fund, if it applies to retired MPs?)
Alanbuckle
“He took over the establishment”
I watch it and really enjoy watching the interactions in the camp. The food trials are dismal and I would rather avoid them.
I like Farage and how he has taken over the establishment. All this “woke culture” or “ohh I’m going to boycott this because I’m offended” sums up the country and the inability to do anything without fear of having its views and beliefs tested. People forget that last year it was Matt Hancock who most called the pandemic a complete failure, as did the prime ministers who oversaw it with bad advice.
Neither Farage nor Hancock care what people think, they are politicians. However, unlike the vast majority of the UK, they are getting off their backsides and doing something about it. Nowadays we are so coddled that we just hide, do nothing and just sit behind a keyboard and whine. Surely there is something more important for people to do. Oh, and I wish I could get £1.4 million for two weeks of work. Oh god, I’m a keyboard warrior, are you offended?
TheWillMan
‘A breath of fresh air’
I’ve never seen I’m a Celebrity, but now I’m on it. Nigel is brilliant and a breath of fresh air
Ted
‘Corrupt’
Me and my wife both watch it. But we will boycott it because of corrupt Farage.
faiz.
“Who’s cheating on whom?”
The idea of watching celebrities do disgusting things is a form of entertainment that is unimaginably childish.
Most of these celebrities are in it for the (significant) money. They are, to paraphrase Liberace, “barfing all the way to the bank.”
People want Farage to eat offal and give him a bill back with Coutts. Now who is cheating on whom?
Any sensible person should change the channel when this type of gutter TV is on.
Restarted Hans2 again
“The man should be deported to Rwanda”
The media needs to display some basic standards and moral leadership, which people seem to be lacking these days. Even 20 years ago, the idea that a politician (even a popular one) could cross over into popular entertainment would have been unacceptable. But here is a man known for his racist, xenophobic views, which have deeply frightened and damaged the fabric of British society (not an opinion, just a fact), being pushed into the public eye (and huge amounts of money) like some kind of “celebrity”. paid for it). ‘?
The man should be deported to Rwanda, not celebrated and rewarded for what he did to this country.
JSparks
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