I’m A Celebrity’s Frankie Dettori reveals his surprise history with Nigel Farage as he prepares to head into the jungle

There aren’t many people who would say Nigel Farage’s face puts them at ‘ease’.

But as he’s set to enter the I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here on tomorrow night’s episode, Frankie Dettori admitted his nerves will be calmed by seeing Farage.

Alongside the Champion boxer Tony Bellew, Mr Dettori will join the former UKIP leader with TikTok sensation Nella Rose, First Dates’ Fred Siriex and Made in Chelsea’s Sam Thompson.

Talking about his past relationship with Mr Farage, 59, he said: ‘Myself and Nigel shared a manager at the time and we had lunch once with a racehorse owner, a very posh lunch.

‘It was very amusing and yeah, we got on really well already. It was a nice lunch, it wasn’t crazy, it was civilised.

Surprise! As he’s set to enter the I’m A Celebrity …Get Me Out of Here on tomorrow night’s episode, Frankie Dettori admitted his nerves will be calmed by seeing Farage

History: Talking about his relationship with the politican, Frankie said: ‘Myself and Nigel shared a manager at the time and we had lunch once with a racehorse owner, a very posh lunch’

‘He’s a bigger-than-life character. And yeah, I mean honestly I’ve seen the people in the camp and he is the only one that I know.’

The racer, whose career spans over 35 years and counting, admitted that he was ‘nervous’ to be entering the Jungle as coming late would put him at a disadvantage.

‘It’s a bit of a disadvantage because I have to play catch up. I have to start from scratch where everybody’s been in the camp a few days and had time to gel.

Obviously to see a familiar face like Nigel makes me feel a little bit more at ease.

‘I’m a late one in so I have a lot of questions to ask and I guess he’ll be the first person I can talk to because I actually know him, I can ask him about what’s been going on.’

The father-of-four, who recently finished his farewell to a racing tour around the world, has been asked to compete on the ITV show many times and was given strict instructions from his children, ‘Don’t be embarrassing Dad’.

When asked why he accepted this year, he said: ‘At the moment in my career in racing, I don’t think I can get any higher or bigger so it will be an opportunity to say right you know if I let this opportunity go this time then perhaps when I’m retired and a nobody, then I might not get another chance.’

Despite being honoured by countries like France and Italy and extending the farewell tour to the Melbourne Cup earlier this month in Australia – it was announced last month that he had a change of heart.

Arrival: Alongside the boxer Tony Bellew, Mr Dettori will join the former UKIP leader with TikTok sensation Nella Rose, First Dates’ Fred Siriex and Made in Chelsea ‘s Sam Thompson 

At last! The father-of-four, who recently finished his farewell to a racing tour around the world, has been asked to compete on the ITV show many times

The racer will move permanently to California and continue his career into 2024 and beyond.

Speaking about this decision, he said: ‘It was the best farewell you can imagine. But then I realised I was not ready to stop. 

‘At the end of the day, I got to live with myself with that decision. So I didn’t want to embarrass anyone in Europe and that there was an opportunity for me to go to America. 

‘Give me a fresh start and my decision was easy to make because my kids are adults. And so it’s just me and my wife at the moment and we are gonna immigrate to California after the show.’

Before he leaves Britain for good, the Italian-born jockey accepted the offer to compete on I’m a Celebrity but insisted ‘it’s not about the money for me’ and will do well in the competition.

Previously outspoken about his problems with the eating disorder, Bulimia, due to the nature of his job requiring him to be as lightweight as possible, he said the problem of food will not be a problem for him in the Jungle.

The 52-year-old said: ‘I spent 35 years dieting. So I’ve been obviously looking at the cast, I’ll probably be the smallest one in there so I’ll probably be the one that’s going to suffer the least. But it’ll probably give me more incentive to get stars.’

I’m A Celebrity 2023: Meet the campmates

NIGEL FARAGE

Claim to fame: Former leader of the UK Independence Party  and leader of the Brexit Party.

Phobias: Nobody likes rats, snakes and I am dreading anything to do with heights.

Biggest misconception you want to dispel?: I have been demonised over the years and so it will be nice to show people I am not nasty. 

Role in camp: Lead on starting up plenty of campfire discussions. 

Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp?: A pint in the pub and the news. 

Best & worst attributes: I hope to cheer people up when they are down. Worst? I am impatient and I do snore. 

Dream camper: As a controversial political media figure, I never name names… But I am looking forward to meeting interesting people from all different fields 

DANIELLE HAROLD

Claim to fame: EastEnders actress.

Phobias: Rats. I hate them! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I can be a little ditzy at times but I am definitely not a ‘dumb blonde’. I want to show I can do the trials, challenges and get stuck in. 

Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on, help others if they are feeling low in camp. 

Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Snacking. I am a little muncher and I am going to miss my morning cup of tea, too! 

Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I will be good if people are really struggling. I am not, however, very good at being bored, nor am I a morning person either. 

Dream camper: Ed Sheeran. If he brings his guitar into camp, he can sing for us.

FRED SIRIEIX

Claim to fame: First Dates star.

Phobias: I am scared of everything. I am dying to find out how vile the food will be! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I don’t think there is anything but I am looking forward to learning more about myself during my time in the camp. 

Role in camp: I will definitely muck in with all the jobs. I don’t mind cooking or cleaning the toilets. 

Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My bed. It’s super comfy. I will also miss a cup of coffee in the morning. 

Best & worst attributes: I like to have fun but I do snore and I am impatient! 

Dream camper: It’s going to be nice to meet everyone but I’d love to see Dolly Parton, The Rock or Snoop Dog in there.

NELLA ROSE

Claim to fame: YouTuber and Catfish UK star. 

Phobias: I am fearful of everything! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle? I am a pretty open book. 

Role in camp: Keep the morale and humour high.

 Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My phone… I am always on it! 

Dream camper: Alison Hammond or Adele. 

NICK PICKARD

Claim to fame: Hollyoaks star. 

Phobias: I am a bit scared of the dark. When you go to the House of Horrors at Halloween and things jump out at you, I am not very good when I can’t see! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: It will be nice to go in as me and not as my Hollyoaks character. 

Role in camp: Grafter or chef, I am quite good at cooking. But I’ve never cooked on a fire before. Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp: Football and my creature comforts. 

Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am a nice person and a good team player. I am not lazy but I do have a few bad habits like picking my nose. My girlfriend has been trying to train me to stop! 

Dream camper: Sir Alex Ferguson or Neil Warnock. 

JAMIE LYNN SPEARS

Claim to fame: Zoey 101 and Sweet Magnolias star.

 Phobias: I am scared of everything.

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I think this is a nice chance to show who I really am.

Role in camp: Hopefully I will be the one who can support everyone. 

Aside from family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? A normal bathroom, air conditioning and my bed. 

Best & worst attributes: I think my best quality is it takes a lot to hurt my feelings; but I am impatient and my family would say I get in a bad mood a lot. 

Dream camper: Nicole Kidman, she is my favourite actress in the whole wide world, or Reece Witherspoon.

SAM THOMPSON

Claim to fame: Made In Chelsea star and radio presenter. 

Phobias: I am not a creepy crawly guy and I hate anyone or anything touching my neck. 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: Since the age of 21, I’ve spent my whole life on TV and so I feel whether people have a good or bad opinion of me, it’s probably warranted!

Role in camp: I’m a ‘yes’ man so cooking, cleaning I will do whatever they want me to do. 

Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: I know this sounds lame but gaming. 

Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am the court jester and I don’t take things too seriously, so if anyone is having a bad day I would like to put a smile on their face. Worst? I am quite forgetful and I am bad at focusing on things. 

Dream camper: Stephen Fry. I think I would self-combust if he was going in the jungle! 

JOSIE GIBSON

Claim to fame: This Morning presenter.

Phobias: Insects and I freeze every time I see a spider and I am not sure what I am going to do if I am in a trial with them! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I would like people to know I am very clever at knowing useless information! 

Role in camp: Mum. I am very motherly and I also love chatting to people. 

Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Getting up to blow dry my hair and putting a bit of make-up on! 

Best & worst attributes: I am an optimist and I love meeting people from all walks of life. Worst? I can be quite nosey and I am worried about my temper if I am too hungry. 

Dream camper: Dawn French, I love her. 

MARVIN HUMES

Claim to fame: JLS star.

Phobias: Heights. I have pulled out of a skydive with JLS in the past because I was too scared! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: To show I am not just a member of a boy band. It will be nice for people to learn more about me. 

Role in camp: I’d like to think I will be a shoulder to cry on and a mediator. 

Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: My fantasy football app! I am obsessed with it! Four weeks without music is a long time, too. 

Best & worst attributes: I’ve got three children under the age of ten and you definitely need a lot of patience for that! Worst? Rochelle would probably say I get ‘hangry’ if I don’t have enough food. 

Dream camper: Paddy McGuinness – I’ve done Soccer Aid with him before and I know he’s funny, he gets stuck in and he is hands on.

GRACE DENT

Claim to fame: MasterChef star and food critic. 

Phobias: Horrible people. 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: People think I am quite forthright and scary but I don’t think I am scary! Hopefully people will see this. 

Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on and I am a practical cook so I can help out. 

Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My three cats and my make-up bag. I love a bit of glamour. 

Best & worst attributes: I would like to think I am funny! My worst quality is lack of sleep. I like my sleep. 

Dream camper: Queen Camilla. She would be very practical. And Madonna – she could perform tracks from her Greatest Hits tour! 

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