Nigel Farage Called Whining Narcissist Over Desert Island Discs Snub

Nigel Farage has been branded a “whining narcissist” after he complained about not being invited on Desert Island Discs.

The Reform UK leader called for the BBC licence fee to be abolished because he is not lined up as a guest on the long-running Radio 4 show.

Those chosen as “castaways” are asked by presenter Lauren Laverne to name the eight musical recordings, book and luxury item they would like to have with them if they were stranded on a desert island.

According to a new biography of Farage by Tory peer Lord Ashcroft, Reform asked the BBC if he could be a guest, as Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch have been in the past, but were told they had no space in their schedule.

A Reform source told The Times: “We approached the BBC as we thought it would be a no-brainer with Keir and Kemi going on, but it would appear they have a ban on Reform — the party has led in the opinion polls for well over a year. This is the typical BBC bias we have come to expect.”

But in a statement, the BBC said: “We do not ban any individuals from appearing on Desert Island Discs and that includes Mr Farage.”

Nevertheless, Farage – who has been a regular on BBC Question Time for years – reacted angrily to the apparent snub, posting on X: “Abolish the BBC licence fee.”

That triggered an angry backlash from critics of the Reform leader online.

Farage had been due to appear on BBC1′s flagship political programme Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg last month, but pulled out at the last minute.

He has given fewer broadcast interviews in recent weeks amid the row over the £5 million he received from a Thailand-based crypto billionaire shortly before he became an MP.

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