A friend of Boy George has spoken about the pop icon’s reaction to Matt Hancock appearing in the I’m A Celebrity camp on Wednesday evening.
The Karma Chameleon singer became upset when the former Health Secretary was unveiled as one of the late additions to the jungle, as a number of the campmates laid into the decision.
Boy George confided in Scarlette Douglas about his mum's life-threatening battle with Covid and even admitted that had she died, he would have quit the show.
Speaking in the Bush Telegraph, Boy George continued: “If I had lost my mum, I would go. And I feel a little bit selfish, you know, just kind of… everyone’s so nice to him and I was like Jesus, what are we going to do?
“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.”
Radio DJ Fat Tony – real name Tony Marnach – appeared on Thursday morning’s Lorraine to respond to his close friend’s strong reaction on the ITV reality show.
He told host Lorraine Kelly: “What we saw last night was George being George. Those tears are real.”
He added: “Knowing George the way I know George, I would give it two to three days before he has to express his feelings to Matt Hancock.”
Lorraine noted that the campmates seemed to be ‘pussyfooting’ around Mr Hancock’s appearance, saying: “They’re all just sussing it out. If they gang up on him, the danger is people will feel sorry for him. I doubt that will happen to be honest, but it’s really hard.”
The disc jockey replied: “I think so many people are scared of having a confrontation with him.
“It’s not how Matt Hancock comes across, it’s how they come across. So they’re all sitting there walking on eggshells.
“Whereas, George is one of those people who doesn’t harbour. He will voice it first to a few people and then will go and confront him.
“He won't do it in a b****y, nasty way. I would, but he wouldn't. He will go and have that conversation that the rest of the nation wants.”
Journalist Lucie Cave, who appeared in the studio alongside the DJ, said the public are ‘waiting’ for that confrontation and noted many had hoped Olivia Attwood would deliver that ‘roasting’ prior to her shock exit.
She said: “You want to see some kind of a confrontation and him to have to explain some of his behaviour.”
DJ Fat Tony replied: “I think that confrontation is one thing – but I don't think that’s going to be George's thing.
“I think it’s going to be more of an intelligent conversation, which is what the nation wants.
“It’s easy to have a row with Matt Hancock. It’s easy to react. But I think what we want from him is an explanation.” He then joked: “Get rid of the serial killer laugh.”
I'm A Celebrity airs every night at 9pm on ITV and ITV Hub.
