Nigel Farage ‘set for first I’m A Celebrity challenge’ after calls for boycott-Meghna Amin-Entertainment – Metro

Nigel Farage is reportedly set for the first challenge of the series (Picture: ITV)

Nigel Farage is reportedly set to do the first I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! challenge, despite calls for a boycott.

The politician’s inclusion in the reality series has sparked a lot of backlash, with the likes of Lorraine Kelly and Kathy Burke speaking out.

The former UKIP leader has jetted off to Australia and will be joining the likes of This Morning’s Josie Gibson, Sam Thompson, and Jamie Lynn Spears as he takes on Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly’s bushtucker trials.

He’s now reportedly getting stuck straight in, with a source revealing that he’ll be taking part in an opening challenge at Uluru.

The challenge will apparently see Farage alongside Josie and influencer Nella Rose as the 2,831ft Ayers Rock, as they compete to win stars for the jungle camp.

The insider continued to The Sun: ‘It’s a huge series opener for Monday, bigger and better than ever.

‘A lot of thought went into who was best to pair with Nigel to create the best TV and bosses reckon they’re a magic trio.

‘It’s the huge series opener and with the never seen before out-of-Queensland twist, it’s clear that ITV haven’t come to play this year – it truly is bigger and better than ever.’

This comes after Farage, 59, admitted he reckons viewers will be voting for him, saying: ‘Given millions hate me, I do expect people will vote for me to do trials!’

People have threatened to boycott the show amid backlash over him taking part (Picture: James Gourley/Shutterstock)

He went on to say that he believed he’d been ‘a little bit demonised’ over the years and but was hoping those who have strong feelings might warm to him a little during his appearance on the reality series.

However, he did acknowledge it was a ‘gamble’.

‘The idea that somehow the things I represent – mean-spirited, small-minded, nasty, the “little Englander” – all those accusations that have been flung at me over the years just aren’t true.

The politician admitted it was a ‘gamble’ (Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

‘If we can dispel some of those misconceptions, then that will be a good thing too,’ he added.

We’ll have to wait and see about that…

Following in the footsteps of former health secretary Matt Hancock, who Farage said went into the jungle with his ‘reputation on the floor’, it was revealed this week he is set to become the highest-paid campmate ever.

He is reported to have negotiated a £1.5 million deal for his appearance, after first being approached by ITV all the way back in 2016 following the Brexit referendum.

Metro.co.uk has approached ITV for comment.

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! launches on Sunday, November 19, at 9pm on ITV.

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