A small revelation on Day 3 of this year’s I’m a Celeb: Nigel Farage is keen to demean himself as much as possible in the jungle. When the public chose Nella Rose to get electrocuted in a tunnel instead of him, a downcast Nige whispered to a fellow campmate that he was “slightly gutted”.
“I was hoping they would vote for me” he muttered. “If you do the challenges, it’s 25% of the air time… I’m looking to reach a whole new audience”.
That gets to the heart of a problem with this series. While most contestants are there to pick up some cash in exchange for as little ritual humiliation as they can get away with, a few politicians have decided that eating all of the exotic offal might help them become national treasures. It didn't work for Matt Hancock, but could it work for Farage?
Nige has already done his fair share of mugging on camera for cash over the years. That’s something the few viewers of his GB News show know, not to mention those who’ve been subjected to his 'comedy' birthday messages on Cameo.
Last night, his air time was limited to explaining why he does exercises with logs every morning: to get himself in shape after a 2010 plane crash. He shared some wisdom forged in the wreckage: “When bad things happen to you in life, you’ve got to make a decision: ‘Have I been unlucky, or have I been lucky?’”
Beyond the gnomic mantras, we got a bit of a glimpse of his laddish side, boasting he’d discharged himself out of hospital early after his ordeal. He also disappeared into a David Brent-like reverie as he imagined how he could have helped campmate Nella to complete her task more successfully if he’d only been there to give advice.
With Nigel sidelined, there was far more space for the wails of Britney Spears’ sister Jamie-Lynn, who seemed to be constantly crying about how much she missed her kids. At one point, Spears junior even threatened to quit, before relenting. Had producers told her she wouldn't get paid if she did storm off?
After the third meltdown, a cynic started to wonder if Jamie-Lynn, mostly known for a family feud with her more famous sister, was hoping to show off her sensitive side. Her campmates were far more understanding, with radio presenter Sam Thompson commiserating. “I’ve got two cats at home,” he tried, thoughtfully.
More uplifting was a chat led by romantic presenter Fred Sirieux about first dates. JLS singer Marvin Humes said he took wife Rochelle to a McDonald’s car park in Wembley, while Fred told how he’d met his wife Fruitcake on the street in Peckham. Much more romantic than sliding into the DMs.
Tipped to win: First Dates host Fred showed a bit of class with his apology to YouTuber Nella Rose after she took offence over inadvertent comments about her age, surely upping his chances of taking the win. ITV presenter Josie Gibson is still the bookies' favourite, and her awkwardly flirtatious relationship with Hollyoaks man Nick Pickard continued.
I'm a Celebrity... is on ITV and ITVX every night, except Saturdays, at 9pm
