Angela Rayner turns down I’m A Celeb offer
Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has declined an invitation to participate in the reality television show I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, reports BritPanorama.
ITV executives were reportedly interested in having Ms Rayner transition from her Westminster duties to the show, which is set in the Australian jungle. However, the Labour MP decided against the move.
Sources indicate that while there were no direct negotiations between Ms Rayner and the network, there was a speculative, indirect approach that she opted to decline.
Ms Rayner’s resignation as Deputy Prime Minister in October stemmed from a breach of the ministerial ethics code related to unpaid stamp duty. Following her resignation, she has hinted at a political comeback, urging current Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to abolish the two-child benefit cap in the upcoming Budget and to support her proposals for worker’s rights reforms.
The show has a history of attracting former politicians and cabinet members, with notable appearances including that of Nigel Farage in 2023, who participated for a reported £1.5 million fee and finished in third place. Similarly, Matt Hancock appeared on the show in 2022 after resigning from Boris Johnson’s Cabinet, also securing third place in the competition.
Other politicians who have taken part in the show include Stanley Johnson and former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries, highlighting the ongoing appeal of the show to those seeking to transition from politics to celebrity status.
This decision reflects Ms Rayner’s focus on re-establishing herself within the political arena amid ongoing discussions about her party’s strategy and direction.
