Ben Shephard has responded to claims that Matt Hancock could go on to host Good Morning Britain after he confirmed he is quitting politics following his I’m A Celebrity stint.
The TV presenter commented on the claims that the former Health Secretary could soon be helming the panel, after William Hill put him at 2/1 odds for being in the ITV hot seat.
Yet Ben and his co-host Kate Garraway seemed to quash the claims, as they touched on the difficulty of helming live television.
Speaking with political commentators Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith, the ITV studio reflected on the West Suffolk MP’s ‘pretty short odds’ for hosting the programme.
Iain joked: “I think I have more chance of hosting GMB than Matt Hancock does.”
Ben then replied: “I’m intrigued to understand what Matt Hancock thinks is the opportunity.
“The transition from parliamentarian, from MP, from cabinet minister into a media life is not a simple transition just because he’s had a go on a reality TV show.”
Iain noted the MP clearly believes his future is in the media, adding: “I personally don’t think he’s quite got what it takes to make that happen.
“I think people think what we collectively do is quite easy because all we do is chat here, but we know it’s not quite as easy as that. You’re thinking of five things.
“When people do it for the first time it’s quite a shock. If he makes it work, good luck to him.”
The discussion touched on the example of Ed Balls, who made the jump from politics to media when he lost his seat in 2015 and now hosts the programme alongside Susanna Reid.
Jacqui then added: “Frankly, you’re journalists as well. You look fabulous and glamorous, but you’re actually proper professionals.”
In apparent agreement, Ben added: “And we’ve learnt our trade. I think that’s the point and it will become very apparent very quickly when people come and try and do the job.”
He then added jokingly: “Not everybody makes it look as hard as me and Kate do.”
Laughing, Kate said: “Unfortunately, me sitting here makes people think, ‘well if she can do it’. I’m not a great advert for years of training and hard work, am I?”
Matt Hancock announced on Wednesday that he will be stepping down as an MP and not running in the next election.
William Hill’s spokesperson, Lee Phelps said: “Preparing to step down from Parliament at the next General Election, if not before, Matt Hancock could look to branch further into TV.
“Becoming the host of Good Morning Britain is a fancied step for the MP in 2023 at just 2/1, while an appearance on Question Time for the ex-Health Secretary is tipped at Evens.
“Hancock showed he’s not shy of the Celebrity TV life in the jungle last month, so appearances on the Celebrity Bake Off, 8/1, and even Strictly, 16/1, could be on the agenda for 2023.”
