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.
If I went on #ImACeleb and found out I was on the show with Nigel Farage, I’d leave and sue for racial negligence… but that’s just me.
I’d say that I’m quite shocked that ITV is platforming a racist as a form of entertainment, but nothing really surprises me anymore
Absolutely sickened by the decision to put Farage in #ImACeleb. This isn't "bants", that man has incited so much hatred, racism and division in our country.
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.
Hi @antanddec why not do the decent thing threaten to not go on unless he's excluded or walk off as soon as Farage is announced. Surely you don't want to be the ones who gave him a platform? pic.twitter.com/HTPcbTMWDk
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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A local employment charity is looking to raise £25,000 for Greater Manchester women this Christmas
Danny Jones
The regional arm of a nationwide employment charity that specialises in helping women into the workplace is aiming to raise a minimum of £25,000 for Greater Manchester locals this Christmas.
Smarts Works, an organisation that does crucial work to combat unemployment all over the UK, is ramping up its year-round efforts this festive period – a time that can prove difficult for many – to help women secure jobs and support those that land them in their new roles.
Teaming up with, The Big Give (the leading match-funding programme in the country), the charity hopes to potentially double its target amount to reach what could be a life-changing sum or hundreds if not thousands across the region.
Not only will this crucial funding help support Smart Works in its mission to empower unemployed women, equipping them with the confidence, skills and tools they need to secure employment, but it will also help spread awareness and access surrounding the organisation’s vital services.
Credit: Smart Works (supplied)
Starting from the week commencing on Tuesday, 3 December and running until 10 December, any financial donation Smart Works receives for their Christmas fundraiser will be matched by The Big Give.
This means that should they surpass their £25k target, they could potentially unlock over £50k for their centres here in Manchester and Stockport, with other facilities providing much-needed help all over the North West.
How much they manage to raise by the end of the week, the money will go towards funding tailored coaching sessions, interview preparation new starter support and even supplying applicants with work- appropriate clothing for women who need it most around the region.
Better than just helping people enter or get back into the working world, Smart Works also supports unemployed women right throughout the process, from making sure they dress for the job they want, receiving coaching to nail the interview and continuing to provide help once they’ve started.
Over two-thirds of women who use the Smart Works service find employment within a month of their appointment. Last year in Greater Manchester alone, Smart Works helped more than 833 women; nationally into work and the charity aims to support 10,000 women nationwide this year.
The fundraising page opens from 12pm today (3 December) and will remain open until the same time a week from now, giving us Mancs plenty of chance to make a difference.
Another key area of Smart Works’ most important areas of work is outreach: i.e. actively engaging with townships and villages, referral partners and job fairs to encourage as many referrals as possible, which goes a long way to building stronger community connections.
During the challenging holiday season and with a cost of living crisis still looming large over all of us, the value of initiatives like this in Manchester and the work done by the important employment charity cannot be overstated.
Featured Images — Smarts Works Greater Manchester (supplied)
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Gregg Wallace apologises after Downing Streets labels ‘middle-class women’ comments ‘misogynistic’
Danny Jones
Gregg Wallace has issued an official apology as he looks to be in increasing trouble not only over recent reports of his misconduct on set but his subsequent reaction to the allegations and now viral “middle-class women” comments.
The 60-year-old MasterChef presenter and well-known foodie face stepped down from the BBC cooking show last week after a total of 13 people came forward to complain about his ‘sexual’ behaviour over the course of a 17-year period.
Despite having denied an initial accusation from a former female colleague regarding an incident back in 2018, in which insists no comments or actions of a sexual nature were made, a dozen more individuals have now submitted historical complaints to the corporation and a full investigation is underway.
However, in an Instagram story shared on Sunday, Wallace was quick to dismiss the claims made by what he called “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age” – a response which was quickly met with a severe backlash online.
Equally problematic was his suggestion that because he had worked with an estimated 2,000 people during his time on the show the words of “only 13” women were somehow less valid and/or believable.
Having also shared a video thanking all of those supporting him, as well as numerous other stories featuring personal messages from people both on and off the show defending him, he has continued to rebuke those who have put his conduct over the past two decades under a microscope.
That being said, it looks as though the now former TV personality and household name is doubling back after even Downing Street came out to condemn his comments, with a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer labelling the response video “completely inappropriate and misogynistic.”
Having since deleted a number of his IG stories and now shared a follow-up video to his initial reply, telling his followers: “I want to apologise for any offence that I caused with my post yesterday and any upset I may have caused to a lot of people.”
He said that he was not in a “good head space” when he posted the response and has been dealing with a lot of stress since the story broke, adding, “I felt very alone.” You can see the clip down below.
As you see, the ex-green grocer and restaurant owner said he intends to step away from the story for now and let the in-house investigation move forward without interruption.
Both the BBC and production company, Banijay UK – who make MasterChef and the various spin-off series on which Gregg Wallace has served as a co-host – are currently conducting an internal review of those complaints made by former contestants and staff, including a BBC news anchor.
While none of the allegations are yet to be proved, one former male contestant reportedly told Sky News that the current allegations are just the “tip of the iceberg“, claiming he witnessed a “toxic environment” and was so “horrified” he considered quitting the show on his first day.
Danny Jones -
13th November 2023 
