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Brits brand ITV a ‘disgrace’ as Nigel Farage lands in Australia ahead of rumoured I’m A Celeb appearance

It's looking like this might be the year people start to boycott the beloved show.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 13th November 2023

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.

As you can see, ITV’s decision (which was all but confirmed by Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain this Monday) has left people “sickened, “disgusted” and branding the channel “amoral” and flat-out “disgraceful”.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Wikimedia Commons/Gage Skidmore (via Flickr)

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Florence + The Machine announce massive Manchester gig on new tour

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Florence and the Machine have announced a UK tour with a Manchester date. Credit: Autumn De Wilde

Florence + The Machine are heading back out on a huge arena tour, with a massive gig here in Manchester.

Florence Welch has announced the UK and European tour dates in support of her sixth studio album, Everybody Scream.

As well as a show at the Co-op Live in Manchester, Florence + The Machine will perform in Sheffield, London and Liverpool, along with several other UK cities.

She’ll be joined by Paris Paloma as support across all 18 dates.

Last week, Florence released the album’s title track, ahead of the album’s release on 31 October. She’s worked for two years on this new music, calling on collaborators including Mark Bowen of IDLES, Aaron Dessner and Mitski.

She has said that this new album explores womanhood, partnership, aging and dying, inspired by her recovery from lifesaving surgery on the Dance Fever Tour.

Big hits of Florence + The Machine’s discography include You’ve Got The Love, Shake It Out, and Spectrum (Say My Name), and she’s collaborated with the likes of Taylor Swift, The Rolling Stones, and Lady Gaga.

She’s famed for her high-energy, ethereal stage presence which has seen her sell out arenas for years.

Florence + The Machine will be back in Manchester in February 2026, performing at the Co-op Live on 20 February.

Tickets go on sale on Friday 5 September 2025 at 10am HERE.

There are also packages available with Seat Unique HERE.

EVERYBODY SCREAM UK + EU TOUR 2026

  • 6 February – Belfast – SSE Arena
  • 8 February – Birmingham – bp pulse Live
  • 9 February – Glasgow – OVO Hydro
  • 11 February – Newcastle – Utilita Arena
  • 13 February – Liverpool – M&S Bank Arena
  • 14 February – Sheffield – Utilita Arena
  • 16 February – London – The O2
  • 17 February – London – The O2
  • 20 February – Manchester – Co-op Live
  • 22 February – Paris – Accor Arena
  • 23 February – Antwerp – Sportpaleis
  • 25 February – Amsterdam – Ziggo Dome
  • 26 February – Cologne – Lanxess Arena
  • 2 March – Vienna – Stadthalle
  • 4 March – Munich – Olympiahalle
  • 5 March – Prague – 02 Arena
  • 7 March – Krakow – Tauron Arena
  • 9 March – Berlin – Uber Arena

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Featured image: Autumn De Wilde

News

New ‘postboxes of the future’ are being rolled out across the UK

Danny Jones Danny Jones Royal Mail installing new futuristic postboxes

The Royal Mail is starting to roll out its line of so-called “postboxes of the future” across the UK this year, including right here in Greater Manchester.

It has been dubbed the most important and noticeable transformation to the classic British postbox in its entire 175-year history.

The national postal service teased the modern-day upgrade earlier this year, but the revolutionary new upgrade was officially announced this week, with Royal Mail ushering in a new era of digitally-driven units that should make many lives a lot easier – at least in theory.

Although they might look pretty identical to the iconic red boxes since before the turn of the 19th century have used up and down the country, there are marked differences between the new and the old ones.

new solar post boxes great britain
Credit: Royal Mail

The biggest change made to the Royal Mail’s soon-to-be standard design is a digitally activated drop-down drawer, which will be able to fit parcels as big as a shoebox, hopefully saving us Brits on a fair few trips to the post office.

You will be able to scan a barcode via the updated Royal Mail app to activate the drawer for larger items; meanwhile, there will be a separate slot for letters and smaller packages.

Additionally, the new range of high-tech postboxes will also be solar-powered, helping the public limited company chase its ‘green’ targets.

Now owned by parent firm International Distribution Services (IDS) – who also oversee Parcelforce Worldwide – following the UK government’s approval of its historic sale to Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský at the end of 2024, the group as a whole is undergoing a significant overhaul.

Britain’s new solar postboxes were first trialled back in April in four towns located throughout the Hertfordshire region: Letchworth Garden City, Ware and Hertford. A fifth was later installed in Fowlmere, Cambridgeshire, too.

Despite being quickly considered a success on the whole, the initial design featured an entirely black top, with polls of civilians and Royal Mail themselves agreeing that keeping them red all over was more in keeping with the brand.

It’s like the old school phone box, isn’t it? We can’t picture it any other way.

Speaking in a statement, the Royal Mail‘s managing director of ‘out-of-home and commercial excellence’, Jack Clarkson, said: “We are all sending and returning more parcels than ever before.

“This trend will only continue as online shopping shows no signs of slowing, particularly with the boom of second-hand marketplaces. There are 115,000 postboxes in the UK located within half a mile of 98% of addresses, making them by far the most convenient network of parcel drop-off points in the UK.

“Our message is clear – if you have a Royal Mail label on your parcel, and it fits, put it in a postbox and we’ll do the rest.”

The new generation postboxes are now being made permanent in the same locations, with Edinburgh, Nottingham, Sheffield and Manchester next.

Keep your eyes peeled on the streets as they’ll soon be making a debut in your area.

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Featured Images – Royal Mail (publicity pictures)

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