MP Matt Hancock made his I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! debut on Wednesday evening, provoking a mixed response from both his campmates and the public.
The former health secretary entered the Australian jungle with comedian Seann Walsh, shortly before they had to take part in their first bushtucker trial to win meals for camp.
The newcomers also had to complete a mole mission, which challenged them to undertake secret tasks in the main camp to win themselves luxuries.
Hancock’s first episode was an eventful one. Viewers watched him crawl through pitch-black tunnels covered in bugs, sing Ed Sheeran’s hit Perfect, and get grilled by his fellow campmates over his decision to participate in the reality show.
Singer Boy George admitted to being upset that the MP was in the camp with him because his mother was seriously ill during the Covid pandemic.
He told his campmates: “I feel like, I don’t want to be sitting here like I’m having fun with him. It’s difficult for me because, you know, had something happened, if my mum had gone, I wouldn’t be here now. I would have gone when he walked in.”
Many viewers shared the Culture Club singer’s discomfort with Hancock’s presence and expressed their views on Twitter.
One user, Prodnose, said: “Anyone else finding this chummy normalisation of Matt Hancock repulsive?
“He tried to close down my local Lewisham Hospital. He’s one of the disgusting crew who has led us as a country where we are now. Ignore this creep. This chancer. No trials. Nothing. Then out.”
Anyone else finding this chummy normalisation of Matt Hancock repulsive?
— Danny Baker (@prodnose) November 9, 2022
He tried to close down my local Lewisham Hospital. He's one of the disgusting crew who has led us as a country where we are now.
Ignore this creep. This chancer. No trials. Nothing. Then out.#ImACeleb
Shelagh Fogarty said: “I’m not watching #ImACeleb …Can we agree Matt Hancock being there so soon after utter tragedy and at the very least questionable choices is beyond tasteless?”
I’m not watching #ImACeleb …Can we agree #matthancock being there so soon after utter tragedy and at the very least questionable choices is beyond tasteless?
— Shelagh Fogarty 💚 (@ShelaghFogarty) November 9, 2022
Ryry_212 said: “I don’t care how likeable, funny or ‘normal’ Matt Hancock might come across on I’m A Celeb, I will not forget his actions AND decisions during the pandemic.
“He went on this show to improve his public image and is being paid thousands for it. It’s a f****** joke.”
I don’t care how likeable, funny or “normal” Matt Hancock might come across on I’m A Celeb, I will not forget his actions & decisions during the pandemic. He’s went on this show to improve his public image and is being paid thousands for it. It’s a fucking joke. #ImACeleb pic.twitter.com/Vc4gW8pQPF
— Ryan🦊 (@ryry_212) November 9, 2022
JNRaeside said: “I think Matt Hancock actually breaks the format. Because Ant and Dec are supposed to be us. Them finding this a bit of a hoot feels all wrong. There are a lot of angry people with dead relatives not finding this funny.”
I think Matt Hancock actually breaks the format. Because Ant & Dec are supposed to be us. Them finding this a bit of a hoot feels all wrong. There are a lot of angry people with dead relatives not finding this funny. #ImACelebrity
— Julia Raeside 💙 (@JNRaeside) November 9, 2022
Others pointed out how surreal it was to be watching the MP for West Suffolk on a reality show alongside performers and sports stars.
Hev26 said: “Matt Hancock slipping off the bridge then Seann laughing in his face before Matt sings Ed Sheeran i’m crying what alternate dimension is this.”
MATT HANCOCK SLIPPING OFF THE BRIDGE THEN SEANN LAUGHING IN HIS FACE BEFORE MATT SINGS ED SHEERAN I'M CRYING WHAT ALTERNATE DIMENSION IS THIS #ImACeleb pic.twitter.com/qSi2fDIikr
— Heviscringe (@hev626) November 9, 2022
Scott Bryan said: “Seeing Matt Hancock on #ImACeleb feels like a Black Mirror episode. It’s a fever dream.”
Seeing Matt Hancock on #ImACeleb feels like a Black Mirror episode. It's a fever dream.
— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) November 9, 2022
