Hancock’s warning: Jungle viewers will see me warts and all
MATT Hancock has warned that viewers will see him ‘warts and all’ – as he got dressed up Down Under in his jungle gear ahead of his debut on I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here tonight.
The former health secretary wanted to prove ‘politicians are humans too’, just days after his involvement in the programme sparked a furious backlash and cost him the Tory whip.
Mr Hancock, 44, posed in the distinctive show outfit of a red gilet and trousers with a khaki shirt – in the first image of him ahead of his arrival into camp with comedian Seann Walsh, 36.
Speaking about his decision to sign up – a move that has earned him a reported £400,000 – he said: ‘Politicians are people too and it will be nice for people to see me as me. We are human too.
‘I don’t expect to serve in government again but there are lots of ways you can communicate and engage with people.
‘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.’
The former Tory frontbencher was condemned by politicians and members of his West Suffolk constituency for signing up, but Mr Hancock said he has received support from his fellow MPs.
He said: ‘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.’
Life in the jungle could be a shock to the system for Mr Hancock, who has been isolating for the last week at a £2million luxury beachfront property, complete with private pool and delivered meals in New South Wales.
Yesterday morning, Mr Hancock was spotted leaving Beach House Salt Village where has had been staying since landing in Brisbane last week. He was granted special permission to use his phone and laptop for work matters to ‘ keep in touch with his constituents.’
Admitting he was ‘not expecting’ to be crowned King of the jungle, he also confessed to being terrified of snakes.
But Mr Hancock, who was forced to quit Boris Johnson’s government after breaking his own Covid rules in a clinch with aide Gina Coladangelo, described himself as a ‘pretty cheerful person’ hoping to ‘keep everyone’s morale up’.
The MP and comic Walsh’s entrance was trailed on last night’s episode.
Walsh was hoping the show will be a ‘new start’ for him, years after he cheated on his girlfriend by kissing his married Strictly Come Dancing partner Katya Jones. Mr Hancock’s girlfriend Miss Coladangelo will fly out to support him.