We’re just a few weeks away from the launch of I’m A Celebrity, and preparations for the show are in full flow.
The stars have been lined up, the paparazzi have been stationed at Heathrow to catch the celebs as they jet off, and the poisonous frogs have been banished from the campsite (yes, seriously).
Still, there’s one star who won’t be making the long trip down under.
Nick Ferrari, who’s best known for bloviating on his LBC breakfast show and sharing his thoughts on This Morning, has supposedly pulled out of the upcoming series.
According to The Mirror, the 66-year-old was keen to sign up for the show following negotiations with ITV bosses and things were looking promising.
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Sadly, when the presenter mentioned this to his bosses at Global, the company that owns LBC, they asked him to reconsider.
In fact, they did more than that.
Reportedly, the powers that be were so keen to keep Nick here in Blighty that they got out their cheque books.
‘They pledged to match any fee he was set to receive as they consider him such a vital and well-loved part of the LBC schedule,’ a source said.
ITV bosses had hoped to secure the veteran presenter and were willing to ‘dig deep into their pockets’ to bag him, offering a ‘lucrative fee’.
‘Ultimately, Global was able to flex its financial muscles and managed to keep its man,’ the source continued.
‘If he had signed up, he would have been off air for up to six weeks, which they were keen not to happen.
‘Nick is really well liked by those working on LBC and everyone thinks he has played a blinder by getting a pay rise out of it.’
According to The Mirror’s report, Nick is a big fan of the show, and that’s why he was Carol Thatcher’s ‘celebrity friend’ when she won the fifth series of the show back in 2005.
Supposedly, Nick declined to appear on the show before a final offer could be made.
Metro has approached Nick Ferrari and ITV for comment.
I’m a Celebrity is set to return this November, and the cast has supposedly been leaked to The Sun.
According to those in the know, the cast will include the usual cavalcade of singers, soap stars and other widely beloved figures.
Who will be crowned the King or Queen of the Jungle this year? Well, we’ll just have to wait and see.
I’m a Celeb returns on November 16.
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