Farage hoodwinked into an awkward tribute, again

Despite having a vague fancy of being the next prime minister of the United Kingdom, Nigel Farage still has plenty of time to line his pockets by selling personalised video messages for fans.

His most recent declaration to Parliament’s register of members’ interests included £8,964 from Baron App Inc, the company behind the celebrity video message platform Cameo, for whom Farage has recorded a large number of messages, some slightly more awkward than others.

There was the one in April 2021 when, in Bart Simpson style, Farage wished a “Happy birthday Hugh Janus, I’ve heard you’re a massive fan”. Later that same year he has hoodwinked into offering support for the IRA when he wished a happy birthday to fan Brian Kelleher with a hearty “I hope you enjoy a few pints with the lads tonight. Up the ’Ra!”

Suggested Reading

Now, in a further example of the Reform leader’s attention to detail, he has been tricked into paying a video tribute to the convicted rock musician and child sex offender Ian Watkins. Farage was paid £98 to film a 27-second video praising Ian Watkins, apparently unaware that the name is most famously associated with the Lostprophets frontman, a convicted paedophile who was killed in prison last year.

“This message is to pay tribute to Ian Watkins, a good man, a really good guy, who was very much in contact with me, who loved his children and will be sorely, sorely missed by them forever,” he said.

“And he’ll always have a very special place in everybody’s heart. And remember what he always said: ‘Mad lolz’, well I tell you what, that does just about sum up the world, doesn’t it? Sorry for your grief, but please try and keep some happy memories.”

Mad lolz – maybe that could be Reform’s new slogan?