The family of Scarlette Douglas have spoken of their pride watching her confront MP Matt Hancock and tell him people felt “slapped in the face” by his behaviour in lockdown.
Hancock resigned after he was caught on CCTV kissing his aide Gina Coladangelo in his office while social distancing guidelines were in place.
Viewers were filled with praise for the way TV host Scarlette, 35, took the former Health Secretary to one side and told him: “It was hard. A lot of people had difficult times.
“And then to see that people that had kind of set the rules had then broken them, I think was a big slap in the face for everyone.”
She also warned him it may take time for some campmates to come to terms with his arrival in camp. She added: “A lot of things that happened with you during the times, which does make it difficult because people are angry and upset emotions are running high… we’re not going to ever exclude anyone. We want to make sure that everyone’s a family, but if it does feel tough for the first few days, I’m sure you understand why.”
Now her family have spoken about their pride in the way she quietly and carefully put Hancock in his place without screaming and shouting.
Brother Stuart Douglas, 44, said: “What I liked about the conversation she had with him was that it was private, they went for a walk, and it wasn’t in front of the others because I think that could have been difficult for him.
“If he had all of the campmates ganging up on him, having that same discussion might have been a bit overwhelming for him. So I think that she’s done the right thing in speaking to him away from the camp. Also, we all know that the elephant in the room and it’s best to address it.
“I’ve always said that if something’s on your mind, say it. Because the only way you’re gonna get a resolution and a solution is to talk things through.
“I think if you leave things and let things fester and don’t deal with the situation head on, sometimes it can be counterproductive. So I think she dealt with a situation head on.
“She spoke to him. She was honest, she was open. And she’d done it discreetly away from the group. And I think that was very important. And I was really proud seeing her do that. It was great. I remember watching the screen and saying well done. Well done Scarlett. That is something that I like to think I would do.”
On the former Health Secretary, Stuart added: “It wasn’t just Matt Hancock that broke the COVID rules at the time. He was one of a few politicians who have done the same thing. However, the other politicians are not in the jungle and he is. So he’s put himself out there to be scrutinised.
“He was in control of the COVID protocols and he was the one who was seen to break those very same protocols “I believe that he’s done it because he feels that he has an opportunity to redeem himself.”
Stuart’s main worry now is viewers will continue to put Hancock up for all the bush tucker trials, as he would like to see his sister get a chance to conquer her fear of spiders.
Stuart said: “I would love to see her do a trial. I just think that when she first went in, and she went in the dinghy, if that were me, I’d be like no, I want to jump out of a helicopter or I want to jump out of a plane and I would love to see her do a trial now.
“I was glad that she actually got a chance to go up in a helicopter but if you want to really experience I’m A Celebrity and be in the jungle. I think part of the path, it is a rite of passage is to do a trial.
“My other concern is, I don’t really want to watch a show where the same person is doing the trials over and over. But the producers they’re clever, so yesterday they did a trial with two people because they know that they have to get other people involved.”
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Former footballer Stuart, who makes Channel 4 series Worst House On The Street with Scarlette, insists viewers are seeing his sister’s real personality.
He hopes she will continue to shine and stay on the show until the end.
Stuart said: “She’s a very bubbly character. She’s warm, she’s loving,
she’s caring. She had two older brothers so she took a little bit of stick from us and she understands banter.
“Before she went I said to her just be yourself.
“She has that infectious personality. And we all love her. And I was like,
if the public just sees you for you, that in my mind, that’s enough. And if you’re able to do that, then you’re a winner regardless of what happens.
“I’ll be brutally honest, other celebrities in there have a bigger profile than Scarlett so if it was a competition based purely on profile, she’s not going to be one of the favourites. But if it’s based on what she’s doing and how she’s been in there, and what I’ve seen, I think she actually has a great chance. But I may be slightly biased because I’m her brother!”
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