Nigel Farage has a secret girlfriend but she will not be waiting to embrace him as he walks off the infamous I’m A Celebrity bridge, the Daily Mail can reveal.
Sources close to Farage admit, though he will be open about most elements of his life during his stint on the ITV show, he will keep his family and romantic life private.
It is understood that Farage does have a girlfriend but she will not meet him when he leaves the Jungle, as is tradition for family and loved ones, to maintain a low profile.
The 59-year-old has been romantically linked to Laure Ferrari, 44, a French right wing politician since 2017 after she moved into his £4 million Georgian home in Chelsea and was seen taking the bins out.
At the time Farage dismissed the idea of an affair as ‘crackers’ as he had just announced the separation from his wife of 18 years, Kirsten.
Ms Ferrari, who is 15 years Farage’s junior, met the politician ten years earlier in 2007 when she was working as a waitress in Strasbourg.
After the exchange with the then 28-year-old, Farage appointed her as a parliamentary assistant in charge of environmental issues in the UK – her first job in politics.
From there she was made PR director of Farage’s parliamentary group Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy in 2009 and eventually worked for the French nationalist party.
In 2017 – right when she moved in with Farage as a ‘lodger’ – she headed up a Eurosceptic think tank which was accused of illegally diverting £400,000 of public money to UKIP – before the UK General Election and Brexit referendum.
Amid these accusations, the pair were seen enjoying a drink at a London pub together locked in conversation before both discreetly exiting a chauffeur-driven Range Rover.
It was reported that ‘Farage’s attention was only on one woman all night’ but they appeared cautious to be seen together with Farage continually denying claims of a romantic relationship.
The 59-year-old told the Mail on Sunday: ‘She is someone I have worked with and known for a long time who wanted somewhere to stay for a week that wouldn’t cost her any money.
‘It’s a working relationship. You can inflate it however you want to.’
Ms Ferrari was living with Farage at the time because she needed accommodation and had nowhere else to stay – according to the former politician.
It was announced that same month, in February 2017, the father-of-four and his German wife Kristen had been ‘living separate lives’ for years and Farage had moved out of their family home in Kent.
Mrs Farage, 53, who is still married to the Brexit leader and shares two daughters with him, said in 2017: ‘My husband and I have lived separate lives for some years and he moved out of the family home a while ago.
‘This is a situation that suits everyone and is not news to any of the people involved.’
The Brexiteer was reportedly embroiled in an ongoing affair for more than a decade with his former political aide, Annabel Fuller, who later spoke out about the relationship to the Mail on Sunday.
Ms Fuller also revealed an insight into the then seemingly insignificant relationship between Ms Ferrari and Farage in 2010, just three years after he hired her.
During an election stunt in 2010, Farage was involved in a near-fatal crash when the two-seat plane he was in, towing a ‘Vote UKIP’ banner, flipped and nose-dived into a field.
A lucky escape, Farage was seen walking out of the aircraft covered in blood and was taken to Horton Hospital, Oxford.
It was there that his Ms Fuller, 43, tried to visit him but was reportedly barged out the way by Ms Ferrari.
Ms Fuller, who claims she had an extra-marital affair with the former politician from 2004 until 2016, said: ‘I was shaking with worry by the time I got there [Horton Hospital]. I didn’t even make it inside before a woman who said she was his local aide barred my way.’
The woman, Ms Fuller said she later found out, was Laure Ferrari.
‘I’m told that UKIP members were trying to calm her down and move her out the way before Kirsten got there. They definitely didn’t want me to meet Laure either.’
I’m A Celebrity 2023: Meet the campmates
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
