Today in Focus: What Nigel Farage Will Say for Money
Podcast by The Guardian
Release Date: March 18, 2026
Host: Helen Pidd
Guest: Henry Dyer, Guardian Investigations Correspondent
Episode Overview
This investigative podcast episode explores revelations from a Guardian investigation into Nigel Farage's lucrative side business recording personalized Cameo videos. While Farage’s messages are often humorous and innocuous, the investigation uncovered instances where he accepted requests and payment to record messages that ranged from promoting far-right groups and slogans, to supporting individuals convicted of violent offenses, and referencing antisemitic conspiracies. The episode lays bare the tensions between Farage’s populist brand, his new status as an MP and party leader, and the ongoing questions about the boundaries of political speech, responsibility, and financial gain.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Introduction to Cameo and Farage’s Side Hustle
- [00:08] Helen Pidd introduces Cameo, a website where fans pay celebrities—now including politicians like Nigel Farage—for personalized video messages.
- “Since he joined Cameo in 2021, he has churned out, on average, three every single day.” – Helen Pidd [01:24]
2. Investigative Origins and Methods
- [02:30] Henry Dyer explains the tip-off: an email from a reader noticing trends in Farage’s Cameo content. He accessed thousands of videos and requests, using Cameo’s website data.
- Discovery: Over 4,300 viewable videos, not including those marked private.
3. Farage’s Time Commitment and Earnings
- [04:06] Farage joined Cameo in 2021; since becoming an MP in 2024, he’s made over 1800 videos as party leader.
- Insight: Farage sometimes recorded videos during significant national events, including the day of the election and the Queen’s funeral.
- “He did eight videos on the day of the election…four in the morning of the Queen's funeral.” – Henry Dyer [04:23]
- Earning at least £370,000 from Cameo as of January 2026.
4. The Spectrum of Cameo Requests
- [07:12] Most requests are innocuous: birthdays, pep talks, political shout-outs.
- "Most of these requests and the videos are pretty innocuous. They are birthday wishes." – Henry Dyer [07:12]
- However, several troubling cases stand out, involving racist dog-whistles, far-right slogans, and messages for extremists.
Notable Incidents and Controversial Cameo Videos
A. Promoting Far-Right Canadian Group ‘Diagolon’
- [08:49] Farage was paid to record a “pep talk” video supporting the Road Rage Terror Tour, organized by far-right Canadian group Diagolon, notorious for white nationalist ideology.
- [12:14] Farage reads their slogan: “They have to go back now”—a call for deporting South Asians to create a white ethnostate.
- “They have to go back now.” – Nigel Farage (Cameo recording) [12:14]
- Diagolon gleefully shared Farage’s endorsement on their social channels.
- “He had enough information in the prompt to, with a few seconds of research, identify who they were.” – Henry Dyer [10:48]
B. Offering Support to a Far-Right Rioter
- [15:25] A video was commissioned for Benjamin Taverner, convicted of violent disorder at a far-right riot targeting asylum seekers in Bristol (2024). Farage is told in the prompt what Taverner did.
- Farage’s supportive message:
- “Keep believing in the right things, keep acting in the right way.” – Nigel Farage (Cameo recording) [18:18]
- Farage charged £141 for the video.
C. Use and Recognition of Far-Right Slogans
- Farage is repeatedly asked to use the phrase “If in doubt, kick ‘em out”—a far-right slogan about minority deportation.
- “Now remember, if in doubt, kick him out. I'm asked to, if in doubt, kick him out.” – Nigel Farage (Cameo recording) [21:14]
- He sometimes uses, alludes to, or evades the phrase, showing recognition of its loaded implications.
D. Antisemitic and Conspiratorial References
- Farage responds to a request to name secret societies “controlling” the world by listing:
- “Is it the Bilderbergers?…the Masons?…the Rothschilds?…maybe it’s George Soros…” – Nigel Farage (Cameo recording) [24:54]
- Experts consulted by The Guardian say these terms clearly evoke antisemitic tropes.
E. Misogynistic Remarks and Inappropriate Outtakes
- He makes crude remarks about female politicians in paid videos, including:
- “If you’re simpering for Alexandra Ocasio Cortez’s Big Naturals…” – Nigel Farage (Cameo recording) [25:48]
- “Rumoured to have a secret crush on Diane Abbott. Well, I hope that's not true…” – Nigel Farage (Cameo recording) [26:04]
- Numerous outtakes reveal irritation and frequent use of strong language.
Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)
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On the Volume of Cameos:
- “He's doing about the equivalent of almost three videos a day since he started five years ago.” – Henry Dyer [05:28]
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Excuses and Defence from Farage:
- “The videos should not be treated as political statements or campaign activity… If individuals or groups subsequently choose to misuse or repurpose a cameo recording that is clearly outside Mr. Farage's knowledge or control.” – Reform spokesperson [14:28]
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On Farage’s Relationship with Offensive Content:
- “Farage decided to offer his support to this guy in exchange for money… He’s profiting off doing this.” – Henry Dyer [18:39]
- On using “if in doubt, kick them out”:
- “Considering a podcast with a title ‘Kick Them Out’…that could be misconstrued...maybe think about a different title.” – Nigel Farage (Cameo) [20:51]
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On Normalize Extremism via Cameo:
- “It’s a winking, nodded to say we're both on the same wavelength... not going to use it myself, but I'm going to acknowledge it.” – Henry Dyer [21:43]
- “The videos show...someone who is willing to wink and reference to far right phrases, ... not do the basic enough research...and to give ringing endorsements of the activities of someone convicted of violent disorder in summer riots.” – Henry Dyer [29:39]
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On Financial Motive vs. Public Persona:
- “Here's what he will say for money. So what's he going to say for power?” – Henry Dyer [31:22]
Analysis: What Does This Say About Farage?
- Farage walks a careful line, aware of the implications of certain phrases and memes, as highlighted by his code-switching or evasiveness when presented with loaded requests.
- Despite moments of caution, he appears willing to record videos for virtually anyone, regardless of social or political ramifications, as long as payment is made.
- The investigation links Farage’s current behaviour to past allegations from schoolmates and teachers about his repeated use of racist and antisemitic language, countering his "youthful indiscretion" defence.
Memorable Moments
- Farage records on election days and at 5am, including during national moments of mourning.
- The revelation he still produces Cameos even as an MP and party leader.
- The documentary-style unfolding of how each Cameo is researched, linked, and analyzed for wider societal impact.
- Henry Dyer’s closing point about Farage’s willingness to say almost anything for money and the open question of what that means for his ambitions for power.
Key Timestamps
- 00:08 – Introduction to Farage's Cameo phenomenon
- 02:30 – How the Guardian investigation began
- 04:06 – Farage’s output and earnings as an MP
- 08:49 – The Diagolon / Canadian neo-Nazi Cameo incident
- 15:25 – Message to far-right rioter Benjamin Taverner
- 20:15 – Far-right slogans and their handling
- 24:54 – Antisemitic conspiracy references
- 25:39 – Misogynistic remarks
- 29:39 – Reflections on Farage’s character and implications
Conclusion
The episode is a damning account of the blurred lines between populist politics, money, and responsibility. It reveals how Farage's Cameo hustle provides glimpses into his values, judgement, and the risks of normalizing extremist discourse under the guise of entertainment or ‘just a joke.’ With Farage as both an elected official and party leader, the stakes of what he will say for money—and what he might do for power—are laid plain.