Kevin Lygo, the CEO of ITV, has defended the decision to feature Nigel Farage, the leader of the Reform UK party, on the reality TV show I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!. Farage’s appearance has been criticized due to his recent comments on social media, in which he questioned the handling of the recent riots and suggested that the truth was being withheld from the public. Lygo argued that the audience is sophisticated and can make up their own minds about Farage’s views, and that the show is not meant to offend anyone.
Lygo also addressed the recent job cuts at ITV, stating that it is a necessary part of running a commercially driven enterprise. He emphasized that the cost of programming continues to rise, and that the channel must find ways to reduce expenditure. He also compared the commissioning team at ITV to that at the BBC, suggesting that the BBC’s team is significantly larger.
In addition, Lygo was questioned about ITV presenters switching to other channels, following Holly Willoughby’s departure to work on a Netflix show with Bear Grylls. Lygo argued that ITV develops talent, which in turn creates more interest in their programs. He suggested that the channel is mindful of the risks involved in featuring new talent, but is willing to take calculated risks to bring fresh faces to the public.
Nigel Farage (Image via Getty)
Lygo’s comments come at a time when Farage is facing criticism for his recent comments on the riots. Some have accused him of making “deeply irresponsible and dangerous” statements, and his appearance on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! has been met with controversy. Despite this, Lygo remains confident that audiences will be able to make up their own minds about Farage’s views, and that the show is not meant to promote or endorse his opinions. Ultimately, Lygo’s defense of Farage’s appearance on the show is likely to be seen as a controversial move by some, especially in light of the ongoing debates about the role of reality TV in shaping public opinion.
