Nigel Farage Wants to Prove He’s Not ‘Mean’ and ‘Small-Minded’ on Reality TV

Nigel Farage speaks to media outside Europe House in Westminster on May 20, 2016. Jack Taylor/Getty Images

The face of Brexit for millions of Britons, politician and news host Nigel Farage, will join a survival reality show to prove he is not a “mean-spirited, small-minded, nasty ‘little Englander’.”

A prominent Brexit figure, Mr. Farage will be joined by other famous faces, including Britney Spears’ sister, the actress Jamie Lynn Spears, and singer Marvin Humes, on the ITV show “I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here.

Mr. Farage is known for being an outspoken Eurosceptic throughout his European Parliament career as an MEP and subsequently as the leader of the UKIP party that successfully campaigned for Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union.

His populist views, including criticism of the Brexit deal, the UK’s immigration policy and the government’s net zero strategies, have caused some controversy and division throughout his political career.

“My crime was to stand against an establishment view, and I was for many years the lone voice saying Europe wasn’t where we should be, so I have been a little bit demonised. I am hoping those who hate me might hate me a little bit less afterwards. But it’s a gamble,” Mr. Farage said.

He added that he would like to “dispel” some of the “misconceptions” about him, such as him representing a “small-minded little Englander,” who is nasty and mean-spirited.

Mr. Farage made the news headlines recently over his bank account with private bank Coutts getting shut in June. The GB News host, Mr. Farage, said that he was given no explanation as to why his account was closed and said it was “political persecution.”

Commenting on how other show participants may interact with him, Mr. Farage said he was interested in their perception of him.

“They will go in with their preconceived ideas and it might be a little bit frosty – we will just have to see. I can’t pretend to be anyone other than who I am, I never have. But I survived for 20 years in the European Parliament with all sorts of people trying to trip me up so I am used to that!” the former Reform UK party leader said.

In the show, the campers usually have to take part in physical trials that involve snakes, spiders and other creepy-crawlies found in the jungle.

“Given millions hate him,” Mr. Farage expects he will be often voted to do the trials.

“I’ve dealt with snakes in the European Parliament, I believe I can cope with this too,” he commented.

Politicians in the Jungle

Mr. Farage is not the first UK politician to appear on the “I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here.” He is following in the footsteps of the former Health Secretary Matt Hancock and the former culture secretary Nadine Dorries.

Ms. Dorries appeared on the show in 2012, while serving as the MP for Mid Bedfordshire. Her decision led to criticism and temporary suspension from the Conservative Party. It was alleged she didn’t seek permission to appear on the show from the party whip.

Speaking about Mr. Farage’s part in the new season, Ms. Dorries suggested that he will become more popular after it airs.

“I think Nigel will do very, very well. He’s got the chutzpah, he’s got the personality. I think he’ll do very well in ‘I’m a Celebrity,” Ms. Dorries said.

She also speculated that his appearance on reality TV would boost his political presence.

“I think his power base is Reform. And I think that’s probably what he’s doing this for, to give Reform a boost, who, by the way, are doing very well at the moment,” Ms. Dorries said.

Mr. Hancock finished in third place in the last season of the show. He had admitted that entering the “I’m A Celebrity” jungle was “controversial” as a former health secretary and MP while Parliament was sitting.

The latest season, featuring Mr. Farage, is due to kick off on Nov. 19.

PA contributed to this report.