Ukip's Nigel Farage Says He's Not Like 'Anorak'-Wearing Ed Miliband After Starring In 'Fun' Advert

Farage Defends Starring In THAT Paddy Power Advert
UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage smiles as he hears the results during the European Parliamentary elections count at the Guildhall in Southampton, Hampshire.
UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage smiles as he hears the results during the European Parliamentary elections count at the Guildhall in Southampton, Hampshire.
Steve Parsons/PA Wire

Nigel Farage has mocked "anorak"-wearing Ed Miliband while defending his appearance in an advertisement for a betting company.

The Ukip leader, a former keen golfer, said that starring turn in the self-deprecating Ryder Cup ad campaign for Paddy Power was "fun".

In the video, Farage - Britain's Eurosceptic-in-chief - finally came out and backed Europe.

But pressed on whether it was an appropriate move for a party leader, Farage insisted he was never going to emulate the Labour leader, who he claimed sits at home to "read treatises all day".

Nigel Farage joined forces with Paddy Power to back Team Europe

The Ukip leader shows off his swing

He told ITV1's Good Morning Britain: "I made the advert because it rather nicely makes the point that I love Europe, it's just the European Union that I don't like.

"Is it the behaviour of a party leader? Well, you know, I could become like Ed Miliband I suppose and sit at home and read treatises all day and wear an anorak in public but I'm just not going to do that."

In the tongue-in-cheek advertisement, the Ukip leader took the unusual step of publicly declaring his support for Europe and tells Britons: "Your continent needs you."

Farage listed his top reasons for why everyone should back Europe, urging the boys to show those "fist-bumping, flag-waving Yanks" what us Europeans are really made of once and for all.

In the words of the pop duo 2Unlimited, who coincidentally were No 1 when the US last took home a victory, Farage claims that there's quite literally "no no no no, limit to the talent of this young European team."

Speaking on the strength of the competition, Farage questions Tiger Woods' excuse as to why he's a no show for this year's showdown, "...hurt his back. How did you do that Tiger? Carrying the hopes and dreams of a nation?"

Farage added, "I'm not the greatest fan of an ever closer union inside Europe, but when it comes to the Ryder Cup, we're better together. I'm urging all my fellow Europeans to get behind Team Europe and send Uncle Sam packing."

A somewhat surprised Twitter reacted favourably to the Ukip leader's comedy turn, praising Paddy Power for the ad:

Close

What's Hot