Many Brits are calling out ITV for their latest I’m A Celeb stunt as Nigel Farage has been pictured landing in Australia ahead of his heavily rumoured appearance in the jungle this year, with some going so far as to label the broadcaster a ‘disgrace’for platforming the right-wing personality.
Following the huge shock of last year’s series when former Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, popped up in the jungle following his numerous scandals during the pandemic, ITV are no doubt looking to go one better when it comes to viewing figures by adding an even more controversial figure into the mix.
Farage, the former UKIP leader, current GB News presenter and President of Reform UK (formerly known as the Brexit Party), was spotted arriving at Brisbane Airport on Sunday, 12 November — just a week before I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 2023 — is due to start, only pouring more fuel on the ongoing rumours.
While he did not confirm whether he would be appearing in the new season, it is thought the 59-year-old is being paid a large sum to take part, but the news hasn’t sat well with everyone in the UK, as many are urging their fellow British TV viewers to boycott the reality show this year.
Farage will be a good sport, muck in, engage in lots of blokey humour, eat a large portion of kangaroo anus, millions of #ImACeleb viewers will say "I quite like him actually" and that is why we are a completely fucked up country 🙄 pic.twitter.com/l7QmQEfNkR
While the decision to put Hancock in the last series no doubt delighted countless viewers as they voted for him to undertake trial after trial — the outcome they’re obviously hoping for again this year — many still raised concerns about not only platforming him but sanitising, softening and potentially rehabilitating his image.
The stakes, in many people’s eyes, are even higher this time around as not only is Farage a much-maligned personality amongst large sections of the population but his far-right brand of politics presents a real risk of further spreading those views and stoking division across the country.
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Especially in light of the shameful scenes during Armistice Day in London, when members of the EDL and other far-right protestors caused disruption at the Cenotaph, with several videos of racist abuse circulating on social media, it seems more important than ever to be cautious around amplifying certain voices.
Our taxes paying for a Genocide, Nigel Farage on I'm A Celeb, and one brown person calling another brown person a Coconut is now considered a hate crime.
This country is finished, khalas, khatam, done out ere, finito.
Regarding the disgusting Farage, it’s surely on presenters @antanddec and the others signed up to appear on #ImACeleb to take a moral stand and threaten to pull out rather than share a platform with him. Prime-time, family television is no place for him. @ITV have got this wrong.
Once again, while Nigel Farage is still not fully confirmed on the lineup for I’m A Celeb 2023, the reaction alone seems to have proved that the novelty of watching a politician eat a few bugs and animal testicles as a mild form of punishment for something usually more serious has well and truly worn off for most viewers.
Even Matt Hancock’s Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins appearance, which was actually filmed before the jungle, has annoyed and raised just as many questions surrounding the responsibility of these broadcasters as it has tickled people watching at home.
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Others rumoured for this year’s cast include Jamie Lynn-Spears, Tony Bellew, Nella Rose, Fred Sirieux and Marvin Humes. You can see the full list HERE. One thing’s for sure, whoever’s in there, you can be sure they’ll have quite the reaction if/when Nigel Farage walks into camp.
Regarding the disgusting Farage, it’s surely on presenters @antanddec and the others signed up to appear on #ImACeleb to take a moral stand and threaten to pull out rather than share a platform with him. Prime-time, family television is no place for him. @ITV have got this wrong.
Featured Images — Wikimedia Commons/Gage Skidmore (via Flickr)
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Victim named and murder investigation launched after young woman is killed in Newton Heath stabbing
Emily Sergeant
The victim of a street stabbing in Newton Heath this week has been named for the first time as a murder investigation continues.
It comes after officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) responded to reports of a disturbance at around 2am yesterday (Thursday 15 October) on Dorking Avenue, in the Newton Heath area of Manchester, and when they arrived on the scene, they found a woman in her 20s with serious injuries that were ‘consistent with a stabbing’.
Despite best efforts of all emergency services involved, the young woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
As the murder investigation progresses, the woman has now been publicly named and a photo of her has been released for the first time.
She has been named as 26-year-old Alisha Samuels.
At this time, one man, aged 25, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and a man and woman, aged 61 and 38, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and they all remain in custody – with officers continuing their enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this incident.
Alisha’s family have asked for privacy whilst they deal with the devastating loss of their loved one, GMP has stated.
“We are continuing to urge people who may have information in relation to this incident to please come forward to support our investigation and bring justice for Alisha,” the police force said in a public appeal.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has mobile phone, CCTV, or doorbell footage, is urged to call GMP on 0161 856 5464, or contact them via the Major Incident Public Portal here.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Featured Image – GMP (Family Handout)
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Former supply teacher jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A former supply teacher has been jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester.
Abusali Rahman – a British national of Bangladeshi ethnicity from Salford – appeared in Bolton Crown Court this week for his sentencing after first being charged with, and then pleading guilty to, several offences.
The offences are including, but not limited to, 12 counts of taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child (images obtained by upskirting), three counts of making indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (making AI-generated images), and one count of attempting to meet girl under 16 following sexual grooming.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between December 2023 and June 2025, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
Twelve girls have been identified in relation to the upskirting offences – aged between 13 and 16 at the time of the alleged offending – at seven high schools in three Greater Manchester boroughs (Bury, Bolton, and Salford).
GMP says it has remained in close contact with the schools, local authorities, and other partners throughout the investigation to ensure all appropriate support is in place for those who need it.
Additionally, the court also heard how Rahman amassed a collection of images of young girls, using AI and other methods to sexualise them.
The images numbered more than 300 in total, ranging from Category A to Category C classifications, and Rahman would post these on social media, often alongside humiliating and disgusting captions.
Rahman was sentenced to six years in prison, and will also be subject to a 20-year Sexual Harm Protection Order.
A former supply teacher has been jailed for child sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester / Credit: GMP
Detective Constable Lisa McGaffin, from GMP’s Bolton Child Protection Team, described Rahman’s crimes as ‘absolutely abhorrent’.
“My thoughts throughout this process have always been with the young girls who have been subject to such indignity,” DC McGaffin said following the sentencing this week. “Their welfare and support will always be a priority for us.
“While working as a teacher – someone who young children should trust and be safe with – Rahman repeatedly took secret photos for his own sick gratification, before posting images online which showed his total disregard for the girls’ respect and dignity.