‘Matt on I’m A Celeb is most bizarre TV ever’
Cystic Fibrosis mum praised ex-minister in drugs crusade
A MUM who convinced former health secretary Matt Hancock to save her life has branded his starring role on I’m A Celebrity “possibly the most bizarre piece of TV ever”.
Writer and cystic fibrosis patient Carlie Pleasant fought for years for lifesaving drugs to be available on the NHS so she could see her toddler son Jude grow up.
Her genetic condition destroys the lungs and in 2019 the Daily Express joined sufferers to help win access to wonder drugs on the NHS.
As the nation’s health chief, Mr Hancock was key to boosting the health of thousands and extending their lives.
Now Carlie, 32, is having “mixed feelings” at seeing the suspended MP enduring bushtucker trials and larking about with celebrities in the Australian outback.
She told the Daily Express: “It’s hard to believe the serious, committed health secretary I met is now dodging spiders and snakes and being stung by a scorpion.
“I think he’s being himself in there but with many still grieving loved ones lost in the pandemic, is it too early for him to walk the tight-rope between career politician and celebrity? He’s certainly not the only celeb in there to make mistakes and is not the first among his current camp-mates to have blundered.
“So is Matt Hancock being unfairly judged? I can’t say.Whatever your political persuasion, watching an ex-cabinet minister tearfully beg for national forgiveness makes for fascinating viewing – and is possibly the most bizarre piece of TV ever.”
Tears
When Carlie was campaigning she once left the then minister in tears as she asked him: “If I die without access to the pills, could you tell my son why you failed?”
She recalled: “When we first met Matt I was very poorly but within minutes he had his head in his hands when I begged him: ‘Help me get lifesaving drugs. Please don’t let me die’. Later he even burst into tears. I know he left that meeting moved by our discussion and was determined to help secure that NHS deal.
“When we won the first CF drug in October 2019 he and my family celebrated in his office and we all embraced. He was genuinely elated and came across as sympathetic, authentic and reliable.” Carlie, of Sittingbourne in Kent, says she will always be grateful for Mr Hancock’s support when she needed it most. But she says she felt let down in June 2021 when the married minister was sacked for breaching his own Covid rules as he was caught canoodling with aide, and now girlfriend, Gina Colangelo. Carlie said: “In June 2020, during the pandemic, he took the time to phone me to deliver the fantastic news that the latest CF drug Kaftrio had been agreed on the NHS. “He quizzed me about my shielding experience. He was sympathetic, he knew it was tough but reminded me it was imperative we adhered to his rules. [So] I was shocked to hear he had breached his own guidance in his office. “However Matt did a lot of good in that role, especially for CF sufferers. “Kaftrio for me has been life changing. I’ve had no hospital admissions since 2020, my lung function has improved and crucially I feel well.”