I am always fascinated by the term ‘celebrity’. Anyone who appears on television, whether a presenter or just a talking head is referred to as a celebrity. Even – especially – if someone appears on what is described as a ‘reality show’ soon becomes a celebrity. If the show happens to have ‘celebrity in the title, then so much the better, which brings us to Angry Ginge.
I am not exactly noted for being ‘with it’, as my grandparents called it. My fashion sense – or rather, the lack of it – is matched only by my complete lack of understanding of the sort of things people talk about at the water cooler. I have no idea of what songs are in the pop charts, let alone what the number one single is. And when it comes to TV, I could not be more out of touch. So, it will be of no surprise to anyone that I am not familiar with Angry Ginge, who I read has won I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here.
Seemingly the most popular show on the crystal bucket, it appears I am the only person in the land who has never seen a full episode of a show which appears to consist of ‘celebrities’ eating animal penises and anuses and having buckets of shit tipped over them in the name of entertainment. Indeed, I am intrigued that anyone would want to watch such things while supping their Ovaltine before bedtime. But then again, the show is hosted by two slightly irritating Geordies called Ant and Dec who I have never seen in action, other than when I have tuned in by mistake to one of the myriad shows they present.
It turns out Angry Ginge has over a million followers on Twitch (you’re right: I have never heard of that, either) and nearly a million on YouTube where, I understand, he talks about football and in particular his team of choice Manchester United. Oh and his stock rose dramatically in 2021 when – and I can hardly believe I am writing this – he did a rant on his inability to buy some chips on a night out. If you find this funny, I genuinely feel for you.
Mr Ginge defeated Celebs Go Dating receptionist Tom Read Wilson and the actor Shona McGarty in the final, which only added to my sense of being out-of-touch with the modern world. I am guessing that Celebs Go Dating is probably not aimed at doddery old people like me who were wholly unfamiliar with Celebs Go Dating and that the show required a receptionist and haven’t watched Eastenders since ‘Dirty Den’ Watts was a boy. So, what happens next to Mr Ginge?
Perhaps, he could appear in a modern, updated version of Tolstoy’s War and Peace? Or a new and refreshing production of M. M. Kaye’s Far Pavilions? Not according to Google AI’s service, which suggests he could host the Baller League (?) or even present Soccer Aid 2026, he’d be a ‘perfect fit’ for panel shows and comedy and launch ‘lucrative brand deals’. Oh and he can carry on ranting on about Manchester United and chips.
Fair play to the lad, I say. It’s clearly me who’s the outlier when it comes to the modern media and the so called Tik Tok generation. I find myself reacting in the same way as my grandad reacted to the Rolling Stones back in the 1960s, with the utter disdain of someone who is seeing life pass them by. I am him, albeit with slightly more hair, but without a pipe and a Triumph Herald. To all intents and purposes, I am becoming him as the world changes around me.
That is not to say I am sad that the unique talents of Angry Ginge and Tom Read Wilson are lost on me. Au contraire, that’s the way of the world. Instead, I’ll continue to slip quietly into the world of afternoon tea and biscuits, Werther’s Original and Countryfile. Is John craven still in Countryfile? Now, there’s a proper celebrity.
