Kathy Burke ‘really angry’ at Ant and Dec after ‘step too far’-Kitty Chrisp-Entertainment – Metro

Kathy Burke has criticised Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly after Nigel Farage appeared on I’m A Celebrity in 2023 (Picture: ITV)

Kathy Burke has hit out at Ant and Dec after Nigel Farage appeared on the latest season of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here.

The comedian, 59, said she didn’t watch I’m A Celebrity last year because the former Ukip and Brexit Party leader appeared on the ITV show.

She then slammed hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly saying she was ‘really angry’ at them over it.

Chatting to comedian Seann Walsh – who appeared on the jungle reality show alongside Matt Hancock in 2022 – on her Where There’s a Will, There’s a Wake podcast, she said: ‘I didn’t watch this year’s because of Farage being in it.’

When Seann replied ‘good for you’, Kathy added: ‘Well, it was a step too far having [Matt] Hancock in there I felt but I thought I’d watch it anyway.

‘But when they announced Farage I just thought, you f***ing arseholes. And I was really angry with Ant and Dec. They’re Irish descent, man!’

Kathy said she was ‘angry’ at the comedy duo (Picture: Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

She was talking to Seann Walsh – who was in the jungle with Matt Hancock – on her podcast (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)

‘And also I think it was really unfair on the rest of you, on the other contestants.’

Farage was said to be the highest-paid I’m A Celeb contestant in history and his signing sparked a huge backlash.

The 2023 line-up included Jamie-Lynn Spears, sister to pop star Britney, This Morning presenter Josie Gibson, and First Dates star Fred Siriex.

Farage ended up finishing third in the series, making the final alongside reality star Sam Thompson and boxing champ Tony Bellew.

Hosts Ant and Dec also caught heat for endorsing Farage’s signing at the time, and have since said they don’t want any more politicians taking part in the programme.

When asked about PM Rishi Sunak popping up in Australia in the future, Dec said on social media: ‘I think we do a year without any politicians.’

‘Agreed, agreed, agreed,’ replied Ant.

Farage came third in the 2023 series (Picture: James Gourley/ITV/Shutterstock)

Farage’s appearance came after disgraced former Health Secretary Matt Hancock joined the 2022 series despite being sacked from his government position for breaking Covid-19 restrictions.

Ahead of November’s premiere several names from TV and showbiz called for a mass boycott of the show because of Farage’s involvement, including Kathy.

‘Quick, there’s another hate baiting c**t available,’ she said at the time.

On Instagram, journalist Bella Mackie took to her story to explain why she would not be tuning into the reality series.

‘He’s apparently being paid £1.5million,’ she said, before laying out a long list of reprehensible comments Farage has made over the years.

On her ITV show, Lorraine Kelly said, ‘I personally think it is wrong,’ while discussing his inclusion. ‘I think it’s very bizarre,’ she added.

Jason Manford announced his decision to boycott the series for the second time.

‘Gutted to have to miss another series of I’m a Celeb! H**cock last year & F****e this year, it’s a hard nope!’ he wrote on X.

‘Shame cos there’s some lovely and charming other contestants going in.’

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! is available to watch on ITVX.

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