Paul Daniels escapes from farm

The magician Paul Daniels has left rural reality show The Farm after losing his cool with Vanilla Ice.

16:06 29 September 2004

The magician Paul Daniels has left rural reality show The Farm after losing his cool with Vanilla Ice.

Daniels fell out with the American rapper over the Iraq conflict and did a disappearing act less than 72 hours into the series. His wife, Debbie McGee, has stayed on the show.

A spokesman for Channel Five told the Guardian: "Vanilla is very pro-American and in your face, and Paul took exception to him. The pair of them squared up and Paul wagged his finger in his face."

The argument kicked off after Vanilla Ice added his two pennies worth to a discussion between Stan Collymore and Margi Clarke about the use of negotiation to free British hostage Ken Bigley.

The idea of negotiating with terrorists reportedly "sickened" Vanilla Ice.

"All Britain cares about is publicity. That's why you're going to negotiate with those weak-ass terrorists. You can't negotiate, that means they've won. We are the protectors, the superpower, and we will win," he asserted.

Daniels took his time but decided to leave the next morning.

"Paul slept on it last night but, when he woke up this morning and discovered there was no wood in the Aga, he decided enough was enough," the Five spokesman added.

"He had a heart-to-heart with Debbie and asked her to leave as well but she is enjoying life on the farm so much she told him she wanted to stay."

Bosses at Five are reportedly considering sending in a replacement.

The Farm sees 12 (now 11) celebrities left in the countryside where they have to live without running water, electricity, modern toilets or mobile phones for a month.

The 'contestants' are forced to grow their own food, collect firewood and tend farmyard animals.