We imagine most of the I’m A Celebrity contestants would’ve been packed off to the Australian jungle with a farewell party and messages of good luck.
However, former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale’s departure was bogged down with controversy.
Senior members of her party were reported to have been “disappointed” that the 36-year-old agreed to appear on the ITV reality series without their consent, and others agreed that the show would distract her from more pressing matters.
But (as you’d expect from a politician), Kezia has come out fighting, insisting that I’m A Celebrity will be GOOD for her party.
Speaking about the unrest, she told The Sun:
“First and foremost, I am going into the jungle late, and that was because I wanted to minimise as much as possible the time I spent away from my constituency and the region that I represent in Edinburgh.
Read more: The truth behind Jack Maynard’s jungle boot-out
“It remains one of the biggest shows in UK TV and it is an amazing platform to talk about politics and Labour values, the difference politicians can make, and maybe show a human side to politicians too.”
However, it sounds like Kezia is going to have to do more than just explain herself to a tabloid newspaper.
According to The Sun, she originally asked her bosses if she could go on an ‘overseas charity mission’, but didn’t specify that she was destined for I’m A Celebrity.
And shortly after she’d left for Australia, her party reportedly gathered to discuss her appearance on the show.
The meeting resulted in a short statement that might make Kezia quake even more than those snakes and spiders will.
It read: “In accordance with standard procedure, Kezia Dugdale will be interviewed on her return to parliament and have the opportunity to present her account of events.”
Read more: I’m A Celebrity bosses ‘in crisis talks’
Kezia – who says she’ll be back in Britain in time to vote in the Scottish Budget in mid-December – insisted that she WILL be raising money for charitable causes, by donating part of her fee to the Rock Trust homeless charity.
She told The Sun: “I haven’t settled what portion will go to charity yet as there’s lots of things I have to do, like pay taxes.”
The 17th series of I’m A Celebrity promises to be a cracker, with a long list of interesting characters taking part in the jungle japes.
Former footballer Dennis Wise, boxer Amir Khan and WAG Rebekah Vardy are among those who are joining Kezia in Australia.
Well, if she ever needs to keep the peace, she certainly has the political skills to do it…