BBC News, West Midlands
A former MP, who was the first to be evicted from the current series of Celebrity Big Brother, has told the BBC he was paid “six figures” for taking part in the show.
Sir Michael Fabricant was the Conservative MP for Lichfield in Staffordshire before he was defeated in last year’s election. He was evicted from the Channel 4 show on Friday, just four days after entering the house.
The 74-year-old said he had initially expected to “loathe” the experience but had instead found that most of his fellow contestants were “lovely”.
He had been asked to go on the show previously, he said, but had turned it down.
He said he had also taken calls to go on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity show but had declined the previous offers because he did not want to let his constituents down.
Sir Michael would not confirm the exact amount he was paid to appear on Celebrity Big Brother, saying he was contractually obliged not to reveal the figure.
He added he hoped that drag performer Danny Beard would win, but that he was “not that friendly” with TV presenter Trisha Goddard or EastEnders actor Patsy Palmer while in the house.
He also told BBC WM that he had spoken to a friend who “everybody knows in the West Midlands” about taking part in the show before going in.
Sir Michael confirmed he would not seek re-election in future and said that aside from helping with leafleting, he had now turned his back on politics.
He also revealed that he would be willing to recreate a naked cycle ride he did in 2018.
He cycled nude around a park in London to raise money for a local hospice and said he was campaigning for an annual naked ride in Lichfield.
“I’m still working on it,” he said, as he appealed directly to bosses at Lichfield Cathedral to participate in the event.
“You can hide your modesty with your cross,” he quipped.
