Everyone knew that the arrival of serving MP Matt Hancock into the jungle camp for ITV's I'm A Celebrity was controversial but the reaction from campmates was still a surprise. One contestant threatened to quit the show completely over the move.
Hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly knew the drama was coming. In an Instragram Live that followed the show's official announcement that the former Health Secretary would be joining the show the following day, Ant said: "I reckon a lot of people shouting at the telly." Continuing: "But let's just see what he's like. I don't know the man, I don't know anything about him, but I am sure we are about to find out a lot about him." Dec added: "We have seen him on the telly a lot."
However, it wasn't just the feathers of viewers that were ruffled. In camp, the reaction was evident.
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On Wednesday night's show (November 9), Hancock and fellow new arrival, comedian Seann Walsh, were seen crawling through dark tunnels, wading through sludge and being bombarded with a host of creepy crawlies in a bid to find stars, and therefore meals, for camp in their first challenge. Clutching six stars the pair headed for the main camp but the reception was cool.
Journalist Charlene White was among the first in camp to question why Hancock had taken the challenge. Asking him directly, the MP defended his decision, saying: "I want to show that politicians are just human beings too."
As the change in the dynamic of the camp sunk in, pop icon Boy George let his feelings known. Speaking to fellow campmate Scarlette Douglas, Boy George opened up about his mum's health issues during the pandemic.
He said that his mum was in hospital during the pandemic, saying: "I wasn't allowed to see her and I thought she was going to die. And I was Tweeting from Greenwich Hospital saying 'please look after my mum', I used my name, and they did, and she was fine, but I feel like I don't want to sitting here and being all like 'I'm having fun with him'."
Telling the Place in the Sun presenter: "You know it is difficult for me because had something happened... had my mum gone, I wouldn't be here now. I would have gone when he walked in."
Heading for the Bush Telegraph, Boy George tearfully confirmed: "If I had lost my mum I would go, and I feel a little bit selfish... everyone was so nice to him and I feel like, 'Jesus', because what are we gonna do, I don't want to spoil this experience for myself. I'm not good at hiding what I feel, especially when it is something so strong."
Social media was alight with comment about the new arrival. Former BBC presenter Dan Walker said: "For all its problems… Twitter was made for nights like this. Matt Hancock enters the jungle." Even political parties added their comment.
On its Twitter channel, the Liberal Democrats wrote: "Never mind #ImACeleb and trying to win meals for a jungle camp, Matt Hancock should be in the UK, in his office, and delivering for constituents wondering where their next meal will come from. You’re not a celebrity. You’re an MP with a job to do."
Prior to his arrival in Australia, Mr Hancock penned a letter to constituents in which he suggested he was fulfilling his duties by heading to the jungle. According to the Mirror, he wrote: "While I fully understand your concerns and know there are those who don't think I should be going on the popular TV show, I wanted to respond to you at the earliest possible opportunity to explain why I have decided to go into the jungle.
"There are many ways to do the job of being an MP… Whether I’m in camp for one day or three weeks, there are very few places people will be able to see a politician as they really are and where politicians can speak candidly to the nation."
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