Read to find out what the contestants of I'm a Celebrity think about Matt Hancock's entry.
Matt Hancock's entry in I'm a Celebrity...Get me Out of here! is an event that caused an uproar in the British political world. The West Suffolk MP is currently deep in the jungle as he takes on the infamous trials of the show, which he described as a political metaphor, reports BBC.
On that note, how did the rest of the contestants of the show react to the politician's attendance, and what opinions did they have about him?
Inevitable suspension
The furor over Hancock's appearance on the popular survival show arose due to various reasons. From the political side of things, politicians and the public didn't take it lightly when the MP chose to spend his time on a reality TV show instead of attending to his responsibilities, reports Reuters.
For that very reason, the Conservative MP was suspended from the parliamentary party and currently sits as an independent. That being said, this was simply the final straw that broke the camel's back, as there have been many other discrepancies that ultimately lead to his suspension.
In 2021, Hancock quit the position of Health Secretary as the married MP was caught in a compromising position with an aide from his office, and this was happening at the same time the MP was vehemently conveying the importance of social distancing, and yet he was caught breaking COVID-19 protocols. Additionally, his approach toward the containment of the COVID-19 pandemic wasn't entirely considered as efficient either.
As a result of these events, politicians, the public, and ultimately the contestants of I'm a Celebrity had a lot of questions and opinions that were directed to the MP.
What the other contestants said
During his first appearance on the show, he was thoroughly challenged and questioned by the other contestants. Charlene White, who is a news presenter on ITV, wondered if the MP was able to perceive why people were 'not very happy' about his appearance on the show, reports BBC.
Hancock said that the nation was in a state of stability at the moment, to which White retorted saying 'We've had stability for all of five minutes, Matt,' to which Hancock responded by saying 'Rishi's great, he'll be fine.' One of the primary reasons for the public outcry is due to his disappearance from Parliament during a particularly tumultuous period in the UK.
Boy George of Culture Club expressed his opinion:
At the beginning of the pandemic, my mum was in hospital. I wasn't allowed to see her. I thought she was going to die. I feel like, I don't want to be sitting here like I'm having fun with him [Hancock]. It's difficult for me because, you know, had something happened, if my mum had [died], I wouldn't be here now. I would have gone when he walked in.
Tearfully he added:
I don't want to spoil this experience for myself. I'm not good at hiding what I feel, especially when it's something so strong.
Sue Cleaver of Coronation Street praised Hancock for his bravery, and most of the other contestants were willing to give the MP the benefit of the doubt. TV presenter Scarlette Douglas said that 'everyone's human' and added that 'We all have our own personalities outside how we are seen in the media.'
The reason that Hancock gives for entering the show is that he wants to raise awareness about dyslexia, although throughout the past few appearances he hasn't seemingly brought up the subject. That being said, BBC recently reported on how the MP tearfully asked other contestants for forgiveness over his actions during the COVID-19 lockdown, which was reciprocated by most.
Read more:
⋙ I'm A Celebrity: Can contestants quit the show halfway through?
⋙ Boy George's net worth as he becomes highest-paid I'm A Celebrity contestant
⋙ Matt Hancock: What is the former Health Minister's net worth?
