Kathy Burke criticised Ant and Dec when Nigel Farage participated on the latest season of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here.
The comedian, 59, admitted she did not watch I’m A Celebrity last year because the former Ukip and Brexit Party leader starred on the ITV show.
She then lambasted anchors Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, adding she was’really unhappy’ with 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!’
‘And also I think it was really unfair on the rest of you, on the other contestants.’
Farage, the highest-paid I’m A Celeb competitor in history, received widespread criticism for his decision to join the show.
The 2023 lineup featured Jamie-Lynn Spears, Britney’s sister, This Morning host Josie Gibson, and Fred Siriex from First Dates.
Farage finished third in the series and advanced to the final with reality celebrity Sam Thompson and boxing champion Tony Bellew.
Ant and Dec‘s endorsement of Farage’s signing sparked criticism, and they have subsequently stated that they do not want any more politicians to appear on the show.
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’s presence comes after disgraced former Health Secretary Matt Hancock joined the 2022 series despite being fired from his government job for violating Covid-19 regulations.
Ahead of the show’s launch in November, various TV and entertainment personalities, including Kathy, urged for a widespread boycott due to Farage’s involvement.
‘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.
Source My Celebrity Life.