Kathy Burke launches foul-mouthed attack on Ant and Dec over I'm A Celeb

Kathy Burke has ignited an unexpected feud with TV presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, labelling them 'f**king a**eholes'.

The 59-year-old comedian and actress has unleashed her fury on the duo for their career decisions and accused them of seemingly 'betraying' their roots.

Ant and Dec, both 48, have had a lengthy career in the limelight, transitioning from child stars to national darlings through their shows like Saturday Night Takeaway and Limitless Win.

However, it's their role as hosts of ITV's long-standing reality show I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! that has provoked Kathy. The comedian, who has herself starred in popular shows like Absolutely Fabulous and Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, was a fan of the jungle-based show until last year.

Kathy has been left disgusted by some of the casting choices on the show - initially taking issue with the appearance of love cheat politician Matt Hancock, 45, in the 2022 season, and then feeling that the casting of controversial political figure Nigel Farage, 60, was the last straw. Farage was one of the stars of the 2023 season and, despite his divisive persona, made it to the final of the show and finished in third place, reports the Mirror.

Taking Ant and Dec to task over their casting choices, Kathy vented on her podcast, Where There's A Will, There's A Wake. Speaking to guest Seann Walsh, a contestant in 2022, Kathy expressed: "I didn't watch this year's because of Farage being in it."

She elaborated: "It was a step too far having [Matt] Hancock in there I felt but I thought I'd watch it anyway. But when they announced Farage I just thought, you f***ing a**eholes."

During her remarkable tirade, Kathy chastised Ant and Dec for betraying their roots by including Farage - who is notorious for his stringent stance on immigration. She asserted: "And I was really angry with Ant and Dec. They're Irish descent, man! And also I think it was really unfair on the rest of you, on the other contestants."

But it wasn't merely Farage's firm opinions that had some audience members switching channels during the 2023 season of I'm A Celeb. Known to be a contentious character, Farage was inclined to disrobe and bathe - leaving campmates and viewers appalled.

This Morning's own Josie Gibson was shocked when she came across Nigel bathing nude early in the jungle competition and declared to the Bush Telegraph: "Freaking hell! I wasn't expecting to see Nigel Farage's bottom so soon! " Despite this, Farage himself revelled in being part of the show - flaunting claims he pocketed £1.5 million for his participation.

In a previous interview, he said: "I gave up a very successful career in the city of London - colleagues of mine are on the rich list, I never moaned, never complained. Is this the biggest pay check I've ever had? Yes it is."

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