Ant and Dec Call to Ban Politicians from "I'm A Celebrity"
The popular ITV show "I'm A Celebrity..." is about to launch its new series, and hosts Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly have voiced their wish to exclude politicians from appearing on the show.
Political Figures on the Show
Over the years, the show has featured several politicians such as Nadine Dorries, Matt Hancock, and Nigel Farage. Many of these figures appeared to use the platform to reshape their public image and connect with viewers on a more personal level.
Hosts' Opinions
In 2023, when asked on Instagram about the possibility of then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak joining the show, Dec responded,
"I think we do a year without any politicians."
Ant agreed strongly, saying,
"Agreed, agreed, agreed."
Notable Politicians on the Show
- Nigel Farage participated in 2023, reportedly receiving up to £1.5 million for his appearance. He finished third behind Tony Bellew and Sam Thompson. Farage stated,
- Farage also acknowledged his polarizing public image, describing himself as a "hero" to some and "an absolute villain" to others.
- Matt Hancock, former Health Secretary, who resigned after CCTV footage showed him kissing his advisor Gina Coladangelo in his Whitehall office, also placed third the year before Farage's appearance.
"In the jungle you're going to find the real me."
Ant and Dec's stance reflects a desire to see the show focus more on entertainment and less on controversial political figures.
Hosts Ant and Dec believe removing politicians from "I'm A Celebrity" can restore the show's entertainment focus and avoid controversy.