Matt Hancock has revealed he’s going on I’m A Celebrity to ‘prove politicians are humans too’ and connect with a younger audience, after his decision to enter the jungle sparked a fierce backlash from Westminster and the public
November 24, 2022
Matt Hancock has revealed he’s going on I’m A Celebrity to ‘prove politicians are humans too’ and connect with a younger audience, after his decision to enter the jungle sparked a fierce backlash from Westminster and the public.
In the first images of the former Health Secretary in his jungle garb, the 44-year-old beamed as he prepared to make his show debut alongside comedian Seann Walsh – scenes that will air on Wednesday’s show.
Despite political insiders telling MailOnline that Matt’s decision to go on I’m a Celebrity – and its reputed £400,000 pay day – will end his frontline political career, he has insisted that he’s received plenty of support from his fellow MPs, although admitted he doesn’t expect to serve in Government again.
Matt, who was forced to quit Boris Johnson‘s Government after he was caught flouting his own Covid lockdown rules with his married aide Gina Coladangelo, also revealed that he’s ‘looking forward’ to showing the public a different side to him after his time in the cabinet.
Ready for the jungle!
I’m A Celebrity have unveiled the first look at MP Matt Hancock (left) and comedian Seann Walsh as they prepare to make their show debut during Wednesday’s episode
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I’m A Celebrity! Get Me Out Of Here… returned to the Australian outback for the first time in three years on Sunday night as 10 new campmates – including Boy George and Chris Moyles – arrived for the latest series of the gruelling ITV series.
After isolating for a week at designer boutique hotel design standards pdf – visit my home page – property in New South Wales, Matt is getting ready to throw himself into all aspects of jungle life – although he does have his reservations when it comes to dealing with snakes.
Explaining his decision to appear on the show Matt, who is MP for West Suffolk, explained: ‘I don’t expect to serve in Government again but there are lots of ways you can communicate and engage with people.
‘When I got approached to take part, I did think long and hard about it but one of the reasons that I felt able to say yes was because the IAC team have put in place a system so I can be reached at any point on any urgent constituency matters.
‘Lots of people have a view on me from being Health Secretary in the pandemic dealing with some very difficult issues, but that’s not the whole story.
I am looking forward to throwing myself into it all like I do everything in life. You can’t hide anything in the jungle, you see somebody warts and all.’
Cast: (L-R) Mike Tindall, Owen Warner, Olivia Attwood, Charlene White, Boy George, Scarlette Douglas, Sue Cleaver, Chris Moyles, Babatúndé Aléshé and Jill Scott were unveiled as the original I’m A Celebrity 2022 lineup
Going on to insist he has received a lot of support despite having his Conservative Party whip suspended, Matt added: ‘I informed the Whip and I gave my reasons.
I have had a lot of supportive messages from people who can see what I am trying to do to show that politicians are people too.’
Despite his claims, Matt was publicly condemned by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak this week, who said the MP will alienate voters in his West Suffolk constituents more than 10,000 miles from his ITV jungle camp, saying: ‘I was very disappointed with Matt’s decision.’
While he may be facing the wrath of his political party, Matt insisted his biggest fear is coming up close and personal with real life snakes.
‘I have never come across a snake at close quarters and so I am pretty worried about anything to do with snakes,’ he said.
‘I am not claustrophobic or at least I haven’t been found to be but that’s the thing about I’m A Celebrity – it is the unknown.
‘I’ve watched the show over the years, I love how it gets down to the essence of people but it’s really entertaining as well.’
What political storm? Matt has revealed he’s going on I’m A Celebrity to ‘prove politicians are humans too’ and connect with a younger audience, after his decision to enter the jungle sparked a fierce backlash from Westminster and the public
When quizzed on whether he thinks his colleagues in Parliament and the British public will be on speed dial voting for him to take part in the trials, Matt confessed: ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if I end up doing some of the trials!
I am hoping I can win some stars for the camp, but most of all I am looking forward to being myself.’
While he’s hoping to win over the public during his time in the jungle, Matt admitted he’s ‘not expecting’ to be crowned King of the jungle?
‘It would be the icing on the cake and that would be wonderful,’ he revealed.
‘But I am not expecting it. My family are very supportive of me taking part on I’m A Celebrity. They have supported me doing some bonkers things like when I tried to get to the North Pole and in my public life as well.
‘I think you will learn things about yourself.
You have all that time to think about what is important.’
<div class="art-ins mol-factbox floatRHS tvshowbiz" data-version="2" id="mol-3f4fab90-5f7d-11ed-bc24-c712cb82749e" website Hancock breaks his silence on I'm A Celebrity stint
