According, that is, to The Sun (a favourite read of The Voice):
Limelight-loving Lembit has signed up for the show — back next January after a year’s break. Bosses picked the goofy-grinned Lib Dem hoping he’ll reveal all about his doomed affair with Cheeky Girl Gabriela Irimia. Lembit might even copy fellow MP George Galloway when he was on the show — and don a skin-tight red leotard.
Oddball Lembit, 43, and Gabriela, 25, got engaged after he popped the question in Rome in April, but split a few months later. He’s also had a relationship with TV weather girl Sian Lloyd, 50.
A Celebrity Big Brother insider said: “Lembit is a brilliant signing for us. He’s wacky and funny, but more importantly it’s hoped he’ll spill the beans on his romance with one of the Cheeky Girls. We are all convinced he won’t be able to resist putting his mouth into gear about it — he seems a very outspoken character in general.”
Lembit, who quit his frontbench job in a bid to become the Liberal Democrats’ president, has a long list of entertainment credits to his name. He’s been on Question Time and Any Questions, and hosted satirical BBC quiz Have I Got News For You. He’s also appeared on Al Murray’s Happy Hour, The All Star Talent Show and All Star Mr and Mrs.
Update (14.02, 1/10/08): As mentioned in the comments below, Lembit has denied these news reports, stating:
It is not true. [Channel 4] did ask if I wanted to be on it, but I declined the offer and thanked them for their interest.”
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44 Comments
I have a poll on my blog (and a bit of comment) click on my name above for a direct link to the posting.
I seriously doubt whether that’s a true story. Having worked for him in the past I can point out that he was offered the chance to go in 2007 (and whatever it’s replacement in 2008 was) and turned both down.
This is either an over jealous C4 trainee assuming he’ll come on and spilled the beans to the sun, or a slur from one of his opponents, – I do hope its not the later.
I am absolutely sick and tired of people like Duncan Borrowman throwing dirt at Lembit and reading untrue stories on this ‘independent’ / ‘members’ blog about things like Lembit being booed at the Glee Club, which was simply untrue. I’d rather have a President who reaches out to the people and connects with those who we currently don’t!
He is the new George Galloway.
I am sure they will think of something very embarrassing for him to do.
I would prefer a president who is concentrating on the job.
If the storey is not true, I take back the last comment.
For those wondering why I dislike the man so much, see what the Sun has done in this article..
“Oddball Lembit, 43….”
This is his own fault. THIS is his reputation. THIS is the paint with which our party has been tainted. THIS is what his Presidency will do to our Party.
I understand he has categorically denied the story. May Heavens be praised!
As Paul says, this story is probably nonsense, Not that this stops people like Geoff Payne commenting as this ‘fairy story’
Geoffery – I made the George Galloway comparison elsewhere. This is the danger of playng to the media. But George dressing as a cat did not harm 60+MPs and thousands of councillors.
But as this story appears to be an untruth, I am pleased that he can do no (more) damage to the party’s reputation.
““Oddball Lembit, 43….”
This is insulting, and the fact that people like Liam Pennington are taking delight in this should shame us!
Odd Dave. I was at the Glee Club. As I have stated here. I heard and witnessed the “I’m 4 Ros” chanting”. I thought it was all done in fun. And I thought Lembit took it in good humour. So don’t throw mud that doesn’t stick.
If the Sun story isn’t true I would be interested to know where they claim the quote came from.
Just to clear up Dave’s slightly wild accusation, at this post https://www.libdemvoice.org/conference-glee-club-4017.html
I made this comment, which I don’t think made any untrue statements or was harsh on anybody, those chanting or Lembit:
I don’t know, I was there and thought it was quite light hearted. He did turn round and flick a V-sign (in jest) at those chanting before heading to the bar. I think it was bigger than a small group, but smaller than half the audience.
Fair point Duncan, but would you agree that the version that appeared on this website was factually incorrect? In the light of this story NOT being true would you remove the poll from your blog?
“I am absolutely sick and tired of people like Duncan Borrowman throwing dirt at Lembit”
Unluckily it looks like any dirt slinging has been edited out. Or maybe isn’t there, I can’t tell.
It was this comment in particular that riled me Duncan:
“Cue entire audience: “I’M 4 ROS! I’M 4 ROS!””
This was simply not true, so please don’t accuse me of ‘wild accusations’.
But that wasn’t posted by me Dave. So don’t throw it at me.
I’ve read about Sun stories that bear a remarkable resemblance to internet speculation on discussion forums.
But then, in this case, they claim to directly quote a C4 employee.
I am not throwing anything at you mate, I commented that I was upset at this story appearing on the blog, your comments and quoted the Glee Club story as an example!
In fact I corrected it in my posting!
On removing my poll. I now have the dilemma of not knowing what is true in the CBB issue. To be honest I thought he most interesting story I had seen on Lembit today before this was:
http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-marketing-services/lembit-opik-turns-to-bell-pottinger-to-secure-lib-dem-presidency-200810013629/
Biscit. If somebody has been quoted it will be somebody at Endemol, not C4.
If the comment that riled you is elsewhere- object to it there.
-Dave.
Duncan, thanks for that info and correction, I misread the article.
Pardon me for being dense but isn’t Celebrity Big Brother supposed to be for celebrities?
Lembit has been in touch with the Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Group office and assures us that the story is untrue.
Sorry, I am a bit late coming into this tread.
My first thought (tongue in cheek) “It’s in the Sun, well then it must be true”
Can I come clean? – I was part of the glee club “chanting”. There was about 15-20 of us. I don’t even support Ros, it was just a bit of a laugh. Lembit didn’t mind a bit, just like when people were chanting “you are a cheeky boy” last year!
BTW, in my office three people (not likely to be big Guardian or Independent readers!) have told me about Lembit “being hired” to go on Big Brother. The good news is people know who Lembit is. The bad news is none of them could name a single political thing he’s done.
Firstly, after the information from Peter, I have taken the poll down.
I would however, without resorting to the phraseology that upsets Dave, say that I consider it problematic that Lembit attracts this sort of publicity.
It’s not true – Lembit has not signed up for celebrity big brothers – so who’s stirring and why? Lies and innuendo are the real enemies of Liberal Democracy so why play that game?
Why can’t we all get on with the positive work, value gifts and strengths and appreciate for who they are and for what they DO WELL rather than gloat when they trip up – especially if someone has deliberately set them up for a fall.
http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/10/01/mp-opik-scuppers-big-brother-claims/
Ok so maybe this story is true but the very fact that it could have been shows why he wont get my vote…
Spot on, Darrell. We need a President who will draw attention to us for the right reasons.
on the “bad newsis none of them could name a single political thing he’s done”
The truth is Lembit has done his best political work behind the scenes – where the real politics happens when people have to find ways through their conflicts and differences.
Sensitive issues affecting people’s lives are best done away from the glare of publicity – and that’s where I have seen Lembit work at his most effective and best. That work doesn’t make headlines in the Sun, or even the Indo – but it’s real positive politics.
If he is appointed as engineer in the ship, or Party president, Lembit doesn’t want or need to be in the spotlight when hard work is being done – he can enjoy it or suffer it if it helps keeps the Liberal Democrat cause in the public eye. Its up to the rest of the team to work with him to deliver the outcomes we can all be proud of and shout about – even if the Press don’t react because they have difficulty with good news being newsworthy!
“David from Ealing Says:
1st October 2008 at 1:13 pm
Spot on, Darrell. We need a President who will draw attention to us for the right reasons.”
Here, here.
I’m4Ros!
My last words on the subject are now on my blog. Click on my name at the top of this post for the direct link
You are all missing the point. LEMBIT WAS IN THE SUN TODAY.
However silly or incorrect the story (and presumably they will now interview Lembit saying it’s not true) hell will freeze over long before either of the other two candidates gets a mention in the popular press. And by the way, what exactly would be wrong with Lembit appearing on Celebrity Big Brother? According to the latest polls our support is lowest in the 18-25 age group. I’m sure they are far more likely to watch Lembit on CBB than Vince on Newsnight.
I’d bet pound to a penny that more people have seen Vince dancing than listened to him pronounce on Northern Rock. So long as it was properly handled (and I think Lembit can do that) I can’t see the problem.
There are times when I despair of some of my fellow Lib Dems, with the ‘Charles and Lembit are appealing to the masses again…’ mantra. Stop being such a bunch of elitest snobs.
Charles’s media profile was rather different Martin. I answer your points on my blog posting if you go to it.
I am so glad people are revealing the depth and skill that Lembit Opik has as a politician.
How dare people in the party attack him when he has given his life to the cause of liberal democracy.
Those of you who use dirty tactics against people remember on thing. What goes round comes round!
Well, I’ve read what you say, Duncan. A Curate’s egg. But my judgement of your opionions on Lembit have to be tempered by the I’m 4 Ros badges everywhere.
The simple fact is that even on this site, a non-debate about something Lembit hasn’t done and isn’t going to do attracts more posts than Nick Clegg on banking or David Cameron on the meaning of life…
I maintain that we can afford to have one larger than life figure. Boris, according to the Telegraph is now No 2 in their Top 100 rightwingers.
I do not have a problem with Lembit getting lots of publicity.
He does come across as being a down to earth guy with a sense of humour.
However Lembit will do that whether or not he is President and I’m less convinced that is is a strong argument for him being the best person to be President.
In my view we would do quite well with Lembit continuing his role as a human face of the party and with Ros as our President.
Well Martin. My support for Ros is hardly a state secret and the fact I have her button on my site is hardly a surprise as I created it over a year ago when she told me she planned to run. But in public I have, up to now, stuck to her positives and what I believe are Lembit’s negatives. Indeed, if you were still in the members’ forum you would know I started a thread for people to comment about Lembit out of the public domain. But this morning when I did my normal morning browse of my work outlook/my private email/facebook/BBC NEWS/The Drudge Report/CNN/CBS/cix/LibDem blogs/LDV/LDV forum on my phone during the train journey to work, I buried my head in my hands when I read this. Suddenly the elephant in the Lembit room was let loose.
SOrry. Posted that from my phone last night. Should have said “…NOT what I believe are Lembit’s negatives”
Yes, Duncan, I can see it’s a little difficult for me to comment if there are other discussions going on on the members’ forum which I no longer participate in on a matter of principle.
Upon reflection, that also of course, invalidates much if not all of the discussion that goes on in the public domain, so it seems pointless to continue to do so, doesn’t it.
Therefore, my last posting. Over and out.
I do not believe it for one moment. Lembit would not do something that crazy, he might love the limelight and c-list female celebs but after Galloway made such a fool of himself I think Lembit knows better. Err the problem with Celebrity BB is that they plough you with alcohol and if you like the stuff and dont know your limits (which I think Lembit does) you end up doing some unfortunate things.
Fair point about the other two unlikely to hit the media until hell freezes over – Ros has been aiming for this position for over a year and has not even made a dent in the eyes of the media despite having an existing political platform to use to get herself known.
Liam Pennington wrote:
“For those wondering why I dislike the man so much, see what the Sun has done in this article..
“Oddball Lembit, 43….””
I am deeply disturbed by this remark, which I find vaguely fascistic. Mr Pennington seems to be telling us that (1) the public hates eccentrics and (2) they are right to do so.
The truth is otherwise. Larger than lifeness has done Boris Johnson no harm. Nor Mr Galloway, come to that. Those with median-term memories will recall that much of the commentariat dismissed Cyril Smith as a buffoon and an embarrassment to the Liberal Party. But the truth is that Cyril actually attracted support to that party which it would not otherwise have had.
Lembit does have a problem with his judgment (he supported Mark Oaten, for a start). And yes, he crosses the line every now and again. But I still regard him as a major asset. He is usually very sound on policy, and has an obvious flair was getting into the news.
No, Liam Pennington. It isn’t Lembit’s fault that he is the subject of an unpleasant smear in the Murdoch press. To say that is to blame the victim.
@Sesenco
As I have said on this thread earlier on, George Galloway doesn’t have 60+ MPs and thousands of councillors to keep in jobs when he appears dressed as a cat on national television.