A TV awards website crashed moments after Nigel Farage told viewers he'd been nominated for a top gong.
The GB News star has been shortlisted for News Presenter of the Year at the prestigious TRIC Awards, which honours the 'great and the good' of the industry.
But just moments after Farage Tweeted that he'd been nominated and encouraged followers to vote to challenge the 'self-congratulatory' establishment, the site went down as vast numbers of his fans tried to back him.
GB News viewers and supporters of the former Brexit Party leader were furious that they weren't able to vote.
Bradley from Manchester Tweeted: "Just tried. Filled it all out. Then it wouldn’t submit the form."
Another angry user posted: "This is deliberately designed not to work if you select Nigel!"
While John Conning added: "I had to try three times to make it work."
Others complained that, even when the website came back online, the Captcha field didn't work, making it impossible to vote.
Farage himself responded: "So many people are trying to vote that the TRIC Awards website has crashed.
"Do keep trying the link, or come back to vote later!"
Voting is now available again on the TRIC Awards website, although the public only have until Friday to cast their ballot.
In his earlier Twitter video, Farage said: "You can imagine can't you, big black tie dinner in London, back-slapping, self-congratulation.
The TRIC Awards website crashed when Farage revealed he had been nominated
tric.org.uk
"Channel 4 wins one year and the BBC or Sky wins the next.
"Well, don't ask me how, but my name has made it to the list of runners and riders and it's a public vote.
"Can you imagine the shock, the outrage, the anger if I was to beat the established industry?"
The website crash raised concerns that not everyone who wants to vote for the 59-year-old will be able to do so.
Meanwhile a source close to Farage said he hoped this wasn't a case of "another stolen election".
The TRIC awards are taking place at Grosvenor House on Park Lane on Tuesday, 27 June.
TRIC President Rob Rinder will present the show in front of a live audience of more than 1,000 guests. It will be streamed for the public to tune in and to watch online.
You can now vote for Nigel Farage as Best News Presenter in the 2023 TRIC Awards
GB News has been nominated for several awards, including Multi Channel News Programme for GB News Breakfast.
Nigel's fellow presenters Eamonn Holmes and Stephen Dixon have also been shortlisted.
TRIC Chair, Dan Todaro said "As the TRIC Awards enters a staggering 54th year, it's heart-warming to see so much love and support for an organisation that means so much to so many.
"Our not-for-profit status drives myself as Chair, the Board and our Committee to deliver a spectacular event which raises money for good causes. This year, TRIC's chosen charities are Parkinsons UK and 45 Aid Society."
Previous Winners include: Clive Myrie, Susanna Reid, Holly Willoughby, Piers Morgan, Ruth Jones, Alison Steadman, Kate Garraway, Ant & Dec, Emily Maitlis, Danny Dyer, Alan Carr, Googlebox and Michael McIntyre.
