Nigel Farage will announce ‘big career change’ today as speculation mounts he is set to join GB News

Nigel Farage has promised to announce a ‘big career change’ today as speculation mounts that he is set to join GB News on a permanent basis. 

The former UKIP leader told his 1.6 million Twitter followers to ‘watch this space’, with an announcement expected later this afternoon. 

He said: ‘At 5pm today I will be making an announcement about a big career change. Watch this space.’ 

It is not clear what his new role would be but some have speculated that he will be heading up the channel. 

It comes after presenter Guto Harri was suspended for taking the knee live on television in a move that angered many viewers.   

Mr Harri took the knee on Tuesday in solidarity with black England football stars after they suffered racist abuse in the aftermath of the team’s defeat on penalties in the Euro 2020 final.

But it offended some viewers amid criticism that anyone who takes a knee – including police officers, sports stars and TV presenters – risks being seen to endorse some of the Left-wing ideas promoted by the Black Lives Matter organisation, as well as opposing racism.

Today, a source at GB News told MailOnline: ‘Farage already has a weekend show on GB News, but yes you’re right in thinking he is getting a more regular slot.’ They suggested that the 57-year-old’s new role will see him make a daily appearance on the channel.  

Nigel Farage is expected to announce that he will be joining GB News on a more permanent basis

Farage teased his expected GB News announcement on Twitter on Saturday morning 

Rumours of the addition were already swirling on social media. 

One Twitter user wrote: ‘GB News here he comes’, while another said: ‘I’m thinking a roving reporter out and about on GB News would be great.’ 

‘The new boss of GB News,’ predicted another. 

Mr Harri’s gesture last week sparked a viewer boycott with several GB News shows attracting zero viewers in the wake of the segment. 

He was suspended by the channel and replaced on air after GB News bosses sent out a tweet condemning him for taking the knee. 

GB News chairman Andrew Neil issued a rallying cry Friday night amid a public row over one of its presenters taking the knee live on air

GB News said on Twitter: ‘GB News stands four square against racism in all its forms. We do not have a company line on taking the knee. Some of our guests have been in favour, some against. All are anti-racist. We have editorial standards that all GB News journalists uphold. 

‘On Tuesday a contributing presenter took the knee live on air and this was an unacceptable breach of our standards. We let both sides of the argument down by oversimplifying a very complex issue.’ 

Defending his actions, Cardiff-born Mr Harri said: ‘GB News is – above all – about free speech; having the debates others won’t.  

A GB News presenter was condemned by bosses for an ‘unacceptable breach of standards’ after he took the knee live on TV in protest at the racist abuse aimed at black England football stars following the Three Lions’ Euros defeat to Italy

Amid a Twitter backlash from social media users baffled by Mr Harri’s gesture on the ‘anti-woke’ channel, GB News publicly rebuked its presenter. It said on its official Twitter account: ‘GB News stands four square against racism in all its forms. We do not have a company line on taking the knee’

‘English footballers have made it clear that when they take the knee they are making a clear statement about rejecting racism (not endorsing the narrow divisive aims of BLM). I support them.’    

John McAndrew, who previously insisted the channel would be a ‘place for everyone’, is reported to have resigned from GB News after clashing with bosses on its direction. 

Meanwhile, the channel’s figurehead Andrew Neil took to Twitter on Friday night to defend the young news service.   

The veteran broadcaster broke his silence on the raging row with a candid statement, in which he admitted ‘start ups are fraught and fractious’.

But Mr Neil, who is currently taking a break from hosting the channel, said the future remained bright for GB News – despite viewing figures falling-off since its launch last month.

In a rallying cry posted on Twitter, the broadcaster said: ‘Start ups are fraught and fractious GB News is no exception. 

‘But the news channel is finding its feet and has a great future. Watch this space.’