Nigel Farage plays down Big Brother and I'm a Celebrity rumours, but doesn't rule out reality TV

Nigel Farage (Image credit: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage says reality TV is not top of his 'bucket list' as reports suggest Celeb Big Brother bosses refused his request for £750,000 to appear

A host of familiar faces will move into the Celebrity Big Brother house on Thursday night, with a mix of British and American personalities expected.

But one star who will not be appearing is former UKIP leader Nigel Farage, who was allegedly turned down by the Channel 5 show’s bosses after he reportedly asked for £750,000.

Nigel Farage

Nigel Farage is now rumoured for I’m A Celebrity… (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)

 

A report in The Sun suggested that he is now holding out to appear on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! later this year after his big money demand was said to be refused.

Nigel would not confirm or deny, telling the Press Association: ”I never discuss private negotiations and as you know, over the last two or three days – or even weeks – there’s been endless speculation about the jungle, quarter of a million, now it’s Big Brother. So, it’s endless speculation about these things and I don’t discuss private conversations with anybody.”

Asked if appearing on one of these shows is something he would be interested in, he said: "It’s never been top of my bucket list, no."

Ant and Dec

Ant and Dec could have time to prepare some cruel Bushtucker trials (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

 

He added: “This is not my priority. I’ve got lots of things to think about, and rejig and reorganise at the moment, and reality TV is not top of my bucket list.”

Nigel said he had watched these shows in the past, but said: “To be honest, over the last 20 years, I haven’t watched much television, I’ve been too busy.”

He said there had been 'endless' stories about him and reality television, adding: ”Whether they’re true or not, I’m not either going to confirm nor deny. I would never discuss any discussions I have with anybody. I’m very, very, very private like that.”

Sam Fox

Nigel could have joined rumoured housemate Sam Fox (Yui Mok/PA)

 

American personalities rumoured to be appearing on Celebrity Big Brother include Danity Kane singer Aubrey O’Day, Mob Wives star Renee Graziano and pop star Ariana Grande’s half-brother Frankie.

British celebrities reportedly entering the house include 80s pop star Sam Fox, Anthea Turner’s ex-husband Grant Bovey and Geordie Shore regular Marnie Simpson.

Celebrity Big Brother starts on Channel 5 at 9pm on Thursday.

 

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