As this year’s I’m a Celebrity final got underway, hosts Ant and Dec couldn’t help but take one last opportunity to troll Boris Johnson.
The prime minister has received backlash over a Christmas Party that allegedly took place last year at Number 10 while London was under tier 3 restrictions.
He also faced fresh criticism over the weekend after a photo emerged – first reported by The Mirror – of Johnson allegedly hosting a Christmas quiz at Number 10 last year too.
Given the latest twist in the political storm, the Geordie duo joked about having an insider scoop on who is going to join I’m a Celeb in 2022.
During a segment on Sunday’s final, Ant was about to introduce the next clip of the three finalists eating their last meal of the series.
Prior to this, Dec chimed in: “Before we do that, and before we bring the curtain down on this year’s show, we are always looking ahead. Rest assured folks, we are looking ahead.”
Forward planning is the key to success! 😉 #ImACeleb @antanddec pic.twitter.com/tzjtWVJ4zi
— I'm A Celebrity... (@imacelebrity) December 12, 2021
Hilariously demonstrating their commitment to “looking ahead,” Dec then held up a campmate T-shirt with the name Boris on it and said: “We can let you into a little secret. We have already booked our first celebrity for next series, next year, already.
“So that is something to look forward to. Evening Prime Minister.”
Throughout the series, Ant and Dec have made joking jibes at Johnson with their “Evening Prime Minister” shtick.
In Tuesday’s episode (December 7), they directly referenced the alleged Downing Street Christmas party, as well as a leaked clip which saw now-former press secretary Allegra Stratton discuss a cheese and wine “business meeting” during a mock press conference.
Looking directly at the camera during that episode, Dec dropped the line: “Evening Prime Minister… for now.”
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The pair’s mocking continued into the next night, when they cheekily referenced a “cover-up.”
“If we have learned one thing in the last 24 hours, it is that you can’t get away with covering things up.”
Dec then joked: “No, that will come back to bite them at some point. It might take a year – but it will happen.”
They even gained the attention of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who gave the duo an unexpected shout-out during PMQs last Wednesday (December 8).
Starmer told the Commons: “Ant and Dec are ahead of the prime minister on this. The prime minister has been caught red-handed,” he added, prompting laughter in the chamber.
Giving a nod to their mention at PMQs, Dec partially quoted Starmer that day in Wednesday’s show, saying: “Even Ant and Dec are ahead of the prime minister – sorry, Danny Miller – on this one. Don’t worry, we will launch an inquiry or something. Not that that will do anything.”
It’s fair to say viewers loved the presenters having one last jibe at Johnson.
Ant and Dec taking the piss out of Boris Johnson has been an absolute highlight of this series 👏🏼😂 #ImACeleb #ImACelebrity #ImACelebFinal #BorisMustGo #Booster #BorisJohnson #NationalSwitchOff pic.twitter.com/CuDpnNBz8y
— CH (@OfficialCWH) December 12, 2021
Exclusive: Camp mate for next year
— A TV Friend 😃📺🎶 (@atvfriend) December 12, 2021
No words @antanddec 😂😂😂😂😂 #ImACelebrity #BorisJohnson pic.twitter.com/8hrDiTLgS0
Ant and Dec @antanddec have been so funny this series. 🤣 They let slip which 'celebrity' they have signed up for next year! #ImACelebrityGetMeOutOfHere @BorisJohnson pic.twitter.com/yQLdh1MjNi
— AliB (@AliCat3635) December 12, 2021
I’ve always loved @antanddec and I always will but over last few weeks I haven’t loved them more than I already did I’m gonna miss watching them every night and I’m really gonna miss their #eveningprimeminister jokes they were so hilarious 😂 https://t.co/JE9SPKrMpT
— nicci samson (@nicci_samson) December 13, 2021
Ouch!!! I’d phone to get him to do all trials https://t.co/dd2Sss2cvb
— PALLY (@PallyK) December 12, 2021
Ant and Dec rinsing Boris Johnson on I'm a Celeb has become an unexpected highlight of this whole sorry affair. https://t.co/JPu6tXH8v5
— Andy Haigh (@Wolverinesclaws) December 12, 2021
Them bashing the bojo this year has been the true highlight https://t.co/NeWLbri93q
— Abbie|🎄❄️ (@Fraser_Joneses) December 12, 2021
Ant & Dec have properly gone into Boris this year and I’m all for it https://t.co/ekDZmFFi5q
— Jack Toulson (@JackToulson12) December 12, 2021
The head of the Civil Service is probing claims of a December Christmas party and November staff leaving do at No 10, as well as festive drinks at the Department for Education.
And the probe could also examine Johnson’s participation in a festive quiz, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said today.