Ian Paisley Jr turned down I'm A Celebrity

Ian Paisley Junior last night revealed that he had turned down the chance to take part in Bushtucker Trials in the jungle on the other side of the world.

The DUP member of the Northern Irish Assembly who is never far from controversy was asked by the programme makers to take part in the current series of reality TV show I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

However the DUP man said no.

"Yes it is true, ” the North Antrim MLA told UTV last night, "but I tactfully declined.”

When asked why, he laughed: "Why do you think? As someone put it to me: think George Galloway.”

The former Labour MP, who was once revered for his stance against the Iraq war, took part in a series of Celebrity Big Brother a few years ago. The Respect party member for Bethnal Green and Bow pranced around like a cat as part of a Big Brother challenge, which left many in the political and media world speechless.

Those in Northern Ireland who might have been hoping for a similar performance from our own politician have now been left bitterly disappointed by the news that Junior did not want to take part.

Just think — the possibilities could have been endless.

Sickly Bushtucker trials in which the DUP man would have had to swallow more than just his own pride. Dangerous dares such as walking along a tightrope while his fate hung in the balance or watching him squirm in one of those tightly sealed phone booths where he has to answer a series of questions to avoid being covered in muck.

"There was a number of reasons why I declined,” Mr Paisley jnr told UTV. However what those reasons were he never elaborated on.

When asked whether he ever watched the programme, the former Junior Minister replied: "I hardly ever watch it but the bits that I have seen I wished I hadn’t. But no, they did make me a serious offer to come and participate, but I’m a politician, keep me in here.”

Taken from the Belfast Telegraph