ITV I'm A Celebrity is already set for explosive conflict after one of the new contestants has already had a pop at their soon-to-be campmate Nigel Farage.

Confrontation is likely after outspoken Remain supporter Fred Siriex, 51, will be forced to live in the jungle with Brexit Party leader Farage. The right-wing UKIP leader founded the party in 2018, before it was rebranded to Reform UK in 2021, and began campaigning against lockdown during the Covid pandemic.

First Dates star and early fan favourite Fred took aim at Farage in unearthed tweets from 2017, where he branded Farage an 'attention seeker' and a 'coward'. In the scathing post, he wrote: "Farage is a coward who likes money, attention and the sound of his own voice far too much. Definitely not a selfless idealistic revolutionary."

Fred has made his thoughts on Farage clear
Fred has made his thoughts on Farage clear

Then, in 2018, he revealed to his followers that after hearing Farage on the radio in a taxi, he told the taxi driver to switch it off so he didn't have to listen to him anymore. He wrote: "In a taxi. Farage on the radio. Politely asked the driver to switch to vibesfm."

But bosses are so keen to keep the politician, they're reportedly considering changing the rules for him. Political journalist Ava Evans told the Paper Cuts podcast: "Would you like some insider knowledge of why Nigel Farage was considering not doing it? It is the smoking ban. You can't smoke and he is a very heavy smoker." Host Miranda Sawyer asked: "Will they let him smoke at the back?"

"I think that's being negotiated," Ava said. "That was a discussion that Chris Moyles also had last year because he is also a very heavy smoker." However, The Sun reported in 2018 that an insider said: "Celebrities who smoke are allowed to smoke in camp. They have to smoke near the campfire and then put stubs out in the fire."

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Celebrities are banned from taking in any items of 'contraband', including snacks, cosmetics, or entertainment devices – cigarettes fall into this category. Producers hope it will keep them engaged with the competition and promote interaction – it also gives them leverage for the challenges.

There are even reports that celebs are limited to how much underwear they can take, with a former contestant claiming they could have three pairs. Farage opposed PM Rishi Sunak's recent proposed smoking ban, which if imposed would see anyone under the age of 14 ever being able to buy cigarettes.

During a heated interview on Good Morning Britain, the GB News host ranted: "How a man that clever can bring in such a stupid law." He added he should be focusing on drug policy, claiming he's making a "mistake" by considering the ban.

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