I'm A Celebrity ...Get Me Out Of Here! fans took to Twitter to point out that former health secretary Matt Hancock had 'finally' been seen mentioning his dyslexia on screen after claiming he was on the popular ITV reality show to raise awareness. Matt had previously been blasted by I'm a Celebrity viewers unimpressed that here had been 'no mention' of dyslexia on screen since he made his debut in the famous jungle camp as a latecomer on Wednesday November 9.
The MP for West Suffolk, who had the Tory whip suspended with immediate effect after it was revealed he had signed to join the series in Australia as a latecomer, has been asked by members of the camp why he is there. But the word dyslexia has not featured in those conversations, leaving viewers wondering if it has been mentioned at all, reported the Mirror.
Matt found out he had the learning difficulty, which causes problems with reading, writing and spelling, when he was 18 after he had reached university. He spent his school years avoiding subjects where he would have to write essays.
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In Sunday night's episode (November 20) he was chatting with campmates Babatúndé Aléshé and Seann Walsh at the creek about their achievements in life. After recalling that he once trained to be a jockey and rode in a race, Babatúndé joked: “What can’t you do, bruv?”
Matt said: “There’s lots of things I can’t do. I can’t tell jokes.” And he continued: "I can’t dance, I can’t sing and I can’t read very well very quickly.” And Babatúndé said: “But all your achievements are like massive.”
@fpl_pie tweeted: "Matt finally mentions dyslexia. 2 weeks in, after going into the jungle to raise awareness of dyslexia." @blissfulfiction questioned: "Matt Hancock actually said he was entering #Imaceleb to raise awareness for dyslexia but it’s taken him nearly two weeks to mention it?"
@Kay2021J questioned: "Did Matt Hancock mention a line about Dyslexia just then?" How many weeks has it been since #ImaCeleb started? What was the reason that Hancock gave for going into the jungle? I feel so enlightened about the condition now." And @Andiamluke said: "15 episodes in & Matt has finally mentioned dyslexia!"
Writing a lengthy column on his decision to enter the show, Matt said: "As a backbench MP, I have the freedom and time to champion causes I believe in and care about — including dyslexia. I want to raise the profile of my dyslexia campaign to help every dyslexic child unleash their potential — even if it means taking an unusual route to get there . . . via the Australian jungle! I’m A Celebrity . . . is watched by millions of Brits up and down the country.
"I want to use this incredible platform to raise awareness, so no child leaves primary school not knowing if they have dyslexia. By talking about dyslexia on prime-time TV, I hope to not only increase support for my Dyslexia Screening and Teacher Training Bill."
Asked by the Mirror if he had failed to discuss dyslexia so far, a spokesman for ITV said: "It is not possible to show everything that happens in camp due to time constraints, we're a 60-75 minute entertainment show. It is always our intention to produce a show that is a fair and accurate representation of life in camp." A source added that whilst he had not seen all 24 hours of footage from every day, he was not aware of dyslexia being regularly discussed.
A spokesman for Matt said previously: "The second reading of Matt's Dyslexia Screening and Teacher Training Bill is just days after I'm A Celeb finishes. This is an amazing opportunity for Matt to raise the profile of his dyslexia campaign and to talk about an issue he really cares about in front of millions of people."
Chivonne Preston, Chief Executive Officer of the British Dyslexia Association said previously: "We are grateful when public figures like Matt use their platforms to draw attention to the barriers and challenges that the dyslexia community faces. Dyslexia is misunderstood and despite being incredibly common is often hidden; many people in our community feel like their struggles are unseen. We welcome opportunities to shine a light on dyslexia and inspire people to seek help and support."
Matt was a surprise extra name added to the list of contenders after the full line-up of campmates for the 2022 series were revealed by ITV at the end of last month. Allies said he would use his appearance to promote his work on dyslexia.
A source close to Matt said previously: "I’m A Celeb is the most watched show on TV. Matt doesn’t expect to serve in Government again, so it’s an incredible opportunity for him to engage with the 12 million Brits who tune in every single night.
"Matt has told the whips in Parliament, and he will use his time in the jungle to promote his dyslexia campaign. Matt has an excellent team working with him in West Suffolk, but producers have agreed that he can communicate with them if there’s an urgent constituency matter."
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