ITV have found themselves in hot water for allegedly offering Nigel Farage £1.5million to appear on this year's I'm a Celebrity.

The former leader of UKIP and the Brexit party did not confirm when asked whether he was entering the jungle as part of the ITV show, but did tell a reporter that he “might be going in”.

He previously ruled out an appearance, saying the reality show was “humiliating”, but later said he was considering joining the programme, which had reportedly offered him “substantial sums of money” to take part.

According to the Mail Online, Farage's deal is to be signed within the next two days and in return, he is set be paid a staggering £1.5 million.

The cash is allegedly three times the highest fee so far paid to a celebrity in the show's 21-year history.

Speaking to viewers on GB News, Farage said that ITV had approached him previously. He said: "They've always offered me really quite substantial sums of money to do so, and I have always thought: 'No, it's probably not the right thing for me to do."

Meanwhile, he is seeking “millions” in damages from NatWest after former chief Dame Alison Rose discussed his banking arrangements with a BBC journalist amid his debanking row.

Mr Farage said on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday that he was “instructing lawyers” and told Sky News yesterday the state-backed bank and its ex-boss must be “held to account”. Dame Alison is missing out on £7.6m in bonuses and share awards in her exit package as a result of the row.

Last year, the former health secretary Matt Hancock was paid £320,000 for his appearance on the show.

The politician, who was forced to resign from the government for breaking Covid rules, donated 3% of the fee to charity, ​according to the register of MPs’ financial interests.

Other famous faces rumoured to be joining the ITV jungle show who have been seen arriving in the country include This Morning presenter Josie Gibson and First Dates star Fred Sirieix.

 

ITV facing backlash

After the fee was reported online, users on X, formerly Twitter, were outraged.

One user said: "@ITV @imacelebrity should be ashamed of themselves. Giving this dangerous neofascist grifter a populist platform to push his agenda. Or maybe that’s the plan?"

Another commented: "People should send @ITV and farage a message and boycott this!! Why on earth should he get 1.5 million and air time? Beggars belief!!!"

Someone else replied: "Shame on@ITV. Makes Hancock’s pay packet seem paltry by comparison but if they want to waste their money on failed politicians that’s their choice."