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Daily Record
Entertainment
Magdalene Dalziel

Nicola Sturgeon rules out I'm A Celeb appearance but admits she'd consider joining Loose Women

Nicola Sturgeon has ruled out following in the footsteps of other high profile politicians by heading into the I'm A Celeb jungle.

She appeared on Loose Women on Monday afternoon and discussed her biggest achievements during her eight-year stint as Scotland's First Minister, and also revealed her hopes for the future.

But the FM "categorically" denied we could ever expect to see her heading down under with Ant and Dec, like fellow politician Matt Hancock or former Scottish Labour leader Kesia Dugdale, who became the second person to be sent home from the Australian jungle after lasting 11 days in 2011.

When asked by ITV host Ruth Langsford if she could see herself as an I'm A Celeb campmate, Ms Sturgeon said: "Categorically no."

The 52-year-old also said there was slim hope of her taking part in any celebrity television shows, adding: "I've got two left feet so no Strictly, and I can’t cook or bake."

But when asked if she'd consider becoming a Loose Women presenter, Nicola said: "I might think about that one," much to the delight of the panel.

Nicola Sturgeon has said she will not head down under for I'm A Celeb (ITV)

The FM faced a grilling from Janet Street-Porter during her appearance on the show, who pressed her on controversial issues which have been dogging the SNP of late including the Gender Reform Bill, party membership figures and her husband Peter Murrell's decision to give up his position as the party's Chief Executive.

But there were light-hearted moments too, including the politician's embarrassment at going live on air in the same outfit as she had on the day she resigned - something she said her mum would give her 'some talking to' about later - and a chance for her to consider her legacy.

When asked what she thinks are the most important things she did for Scotland in her time in power, Nicola said: "I believe Scotland walks taller in the world than it did.

Nicola Sturgeon appeared on Monday's episode of Loose Women (ITV)

"We have the Scottish Child Payment, helping low income families out of poverty, and we have more people from the same backgrounds as me than ever before at university - we shifted the dial for young people."

Nicola also highlighted the recent introduction of new memorial books for women who have suffered miscarriages, and the Scottish Government's Baby Box scheme as some of the policies she's most proud of, adding of the baby box: "It's not means tested and it means every baby in Scotland has the same start in life.

"It's beautiful, it's symbolic and in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't cost much money," to which she received a huge round of applause from the audience.

Admitting she felt a bit emotional at finishing up as First Minister, Sturgeon reiterated her previous statement that she's not giving up on politics for good, as she reflected on the impact her efforts during the Covid pandemic had.

She said: "During Covid, my job wasn't the most difficult but I was standing up for a year with no day off, I have not begun to process the emotional impact of that.

"I've spent my whole life being Nicola sturgeon, I'm not leaving politics, I want to have more time in this next space of my life to find out who Nicola the person is.."

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