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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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)
News
Women can now get the ‘morning after pill’ free on the NHS at high street pharmacies
Emily Sergeant
Women can now get the ‘morning after pill’ free of charge on the NHS in high street pharmacies across England.
As part of a major expansion of pharmacy services announced by the NHS in what is said to be the biggest change to sexual health services since the 1960s, the oral emergency contraception pill is now available for free to women from almost 10,000 pharmacies across the country without needing to see their GP or get an appointment at a sexual health clinic.
The initiative is part of a wider package of support for community pharmacies, helping people to get the care they need in ‘convenient’ and ‘familiar’ settings.
Dr Sue Mann, who is an NHS National Clinical Director in Women’s Health called this move a ‘game-changer’ in making reproductive healthcare more easily accessible for women.
“Instead of trying to search for women’s services or explain their needs, from today women can just pop into their local pharmacy and get the oral emergency contraceptive pill free of charge without needing to make an appointment,” she added.
From today, women in England can get the emergency contraceptive pill for free from pharmacies, without needing a GP appointment.
This is part of ongoing work to expand NHS services through community pharmacies.
Free morning after pills aren’t the only change to pharmacies’ services this week, as people who have been newly prescribed antidepressants will also be able to seek additional advice and support about their medication and healthy lifestyle changes from their local pharmacist too.
As well as over-the-counter support and treatment for minor health concerns, community pharmacy services can also supply medicines to treat common conditions.
All of these changes follow a record funding boost by the Government to pharmacies of £617 million over two years, which is supported by Community Pharmacy England.
“This is a major step forward that removes barriers of access to reproductive care that have let women down for too long,” commented Minister for Care, Stephen Kinnock.
“Pharmacies play a central role in communities, trusted by local people and easy to access [and] that’s why it’s vital there are a wide range of services and medications available.
“These changes will make it easier for people to get the advice and medications they need, while also reducing unnecessary pressure on GPs.”
Featured Image – Rawpixel
News
Salford Red Devils granted another adjournment over unpaid debts
Danny Jones
Salford Red Devils have been given one more adjournment and yet another stay of execution, being given another two weeks to find the money to cover their unpaid debts.
The local rugby league side, which has been wrapped in all manner of struggles both on and off-pitch over the past year or so, reportedly needs to pay around £700,000 to HMRC alone and still owes roughly £5 million in total to various creditors.
To no surprise, regular matchgoers, neutrals and even rivals alike have expressed their continued disappointment with the club, mainly at the lack of transparency and clarity from the organisation throughout this long, drawn-out process.
This is coming from a wire fan but no club deserves to be left in the dark even longer than they already have done it’s nothing but a disgrace to the sport of rugby those owners and the court should be ashamed of themselves.
Updating fans on social media, this is all the information they have communicated at this time: “Salford Red Devils can confirm that HMRC have granted the club a two-week adjournment, providing additional time in which to secure the necessary funds.
“We would like to reassure supporters that we are working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure a positive resolution. Further updates will be shared as soon as possible.”
It’s worth noting that the current owners have reiterated that they inheited around £3m in existing debt before they took over the club, but assurances over their own investments have still come to nothing; meanwhile, with many still waiting on wages, players and staff alike have now left.
Having been propped up by loan players and emergency loans, the team is now closer to a skeleton crew than it is an outfit capable of competing in the premier division.
Either way, the outrage remains and is only growing stronger. One user wrote on X: “A good approach by them if they was legit would be to engage and bring in The 1873 to bridge the communication black hole (they created).
“The problem with that is if they did it would expose them for what they are… Extortionists using the club as a vehicle.”
More alarm bells were raised recently when assistant coach and Krisnan Inu – who was also director of the company set up to take over the business – withdrew himself from a key position behind the scenes.
Speaking of The 1873, the outspoken supporters trust took no time at all in issuing a response of their own, adding: “The judge presiding over today’s case has adjourned by 14 days. This adjournment has dragged the uncertainty on even longer.
“Every delay makes planning for 2026 harder and keeps the club stuck in limbo when it desperately needs clarity and direction.
“The fans, the players and the future all deserve better — The 1873.”
You can see the rest of their statement in full down below, but for now, what do you make of this seemingly neverending saga, Salfordians?
Danny Jones -
13th November 2023 
