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AIBU?

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Original poster

To wonder what the deal is with Farage's health?

30 replies

Buxhoeveden · 24/04/2015 23:12

I think something is clearly being hinted at (Evan Davis interview and others) but I can only surmise exactly what that is.

Now I see that tomorrow's front pages carry stories about a bad back.

My internet search skills are not yielding anything definitive that explains it all.

OP posts:
Original poster
Buxhoeveden · 24/04/2015 23:27

Maybe it is just his back and a busy schedule then Confused

OP posts:
hiddenhome · 24/04/2015 23:53

He drinks and smokes quite a bit so it wouldn't surprise me if he had some illness.

SilverBirch2015 · 24/04/2015 23:57

Doesn't he have health problems due to the plane crash he was in last election?

Samcro · 24/04/2015 23:57

who cares?

OOAOML · 25/04/2015 00:02

I did a quick google and got this from the Guardian:

In his recent autobiographical book, Purple Revolution, he revealed that several health scares including testicular cancer, a car accident and a light aircraft crash had left him with the body of a 70-year-old.

He has now told the Daily Telegraph: “I was not unwell – I have not had heart palpitations - but I was getting increasingly terrible pain in my shoulder, my back and so I was suffering from neuralgic pain.

“I was not ill but I was in a lot of pain and neuralgic pain is horrible. It is nerves. I would move my arm and it would go. I was really having a bad time.”

www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/apr/24/nigel-farageukip-sleeping-pills-back-pain

According to Wikipedia he is 51, he looks a bit older than that to me, although as hidden points out smoking and drinking could be ageing him.

antimatter · 25/04/2015 00:04

He def looks older than 51. Back pain if not managed can cripple anyone under stress in no time.

Original poster
Buxhoeveden · 25/04/2015 00:11

It could affect UKIPs chances of success samcro.

OP posts:
Original poster
Buxhoeveden · 25/04/2015 00:12

Thanks OOA

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hiddenhome · 25/04/2015 11:43

I don't think UKIP could exist without Farage. I think he'll lose Thanet, then just fade into the background. The Party will do the same.

GottaFeeling · 25/04/2015 11:54

Gosh, yes I would have put him much older than 51.

The story about backpain could be true - chronic pain does give you a grey knackered look.

I agree with hiddenhome though.

Hakluyt · 25/04/2015 11:58

Don't forget he had testricar cancer misdiagnosed by an Indian doctor....

Hakluyt · 25/04/2015 11:58

Testicular....

AuntieStella · 25/04/2015 12:02

I saw a TV interview in which it said it was flare up of serious back pain (injury from plane crash), and that he's having a series of (presumably discoverable) hospital appointments to deal with it.

ElectraCute · 25/04/2015 12:05

The Graun this morning has a story about him being on temazepan for pain.

Couple that with several pints and it would account for most of their manifesto...

itsnotmeitsyou1 · 25/04/2015 12:06

Anyone would have severe back pain if their head was shoved up their arse as far as Farage's head is.

jacks11 · 25/04/2015 12:11

I'm not really sure why we needed to know about this really, but maybe he was trying to pre-empt a story or something.

The cynic in me wonders if it is really to make a point about how he feels the NHS is failing- in one of the articles (? the guardian, not sure) he made a point of saying was that he had felt he had to have private treatment as the NHS were unable to work around his schedule. He's entitled to his view but the NHS services could not possibly tailor their service to every individual patient's schedule/convenience really.

jacks11 · 25/04/2015 12:11

That's a lot of really's! oops!

ragged · 25/04/2015 12:12

UKIP was a talking point even when Kilroy-Silk led them.
What would probably make them finally fade is after referendum (whatever the result).
If Farage doesn't get in will Carswell be new leader?

RudeBarbandCustard · 25/04/2015 12:14

He looked awfully grey during the first leader's debate. Looked better in the second one (perhaps they noticed and put some makeup on him!).

He seems a lot perkier nowadays though. I think he's struggling with something and will make it through the election goalposts then retire.

I'm shocked he's only 51, I thought he was in his 60s.

IrenetheQuaint · 25/04/2015 12:17

He's not a well man, is he... Painkiller issues as a result of chronic back injury are not unusual. Ukip high command must be terrified, no one else in the party has any sort of public profile. Except maybe Carswell whose views don't really align with the Kipper faithful.

Original poster
Buxhoeveden · 25/04/2015 12:23

I'm not really sure why we needed to know about this really, but maybe he was trying to pre-empt a story or something.

Oh yes, it's a pre-emption. There have been hints and digs.

It reminds me of Charles Kennedy. That dragged on for years.

OP posts:
teawamutu · 25/04/2015 12:37

I thought about Charles Kennedy, too. Obviously completely different cause and everything.

Original poster
Buxhoeveden · 25/04/2015 12:40

Quite. I wonder if someone has been chasing a prescription addiction angle, though?

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FirstWeTakeManhattan · 25/04/2015 12:45

He looks older than 51, and not in good health somehow. No idea about the speculation - have't read anything about it and missed the Evan Davis interview.

ThenThereWereEight · 25/04/2015 12:59

'Couple that with several pints and it would account for most of their manifesto...'. Electra Grin

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