As Matt Hancock and comedian Seann Walsh, the latest I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! 'wild card' arrivals, prepare to enter the jungle and take part in their first ever Bushtucker Trial on Wednesday night's episode, which will air at 9pm on November 9, the former House Secretary has said he hoping to bust all misconceptions of what politicians are really like during his time on the show. He also revealed how his constituents can still contact him while in the jungle "at any point on any urgent constituency matters."
Matt, 44, who is "swapping Downing Street for Down Under" was unveiled as one of two 'top secret' arrivals joining the remaining nine celebrities on Tuesday, November 8, by the show's hosts Ant and Dec, who introduced the pair as the "worst kept secret" on television. They later announced that the two late arrivals would be taking on the next Bushtucker Trial, airing on Wednesday, November 9. Ant and Dec explained: "There is no trial vote tonight because two top secret new arrivals are on their way and they are facing the trial.".
Of his reasons behind wanting to take part in the show, the West Suffolk politician said: "Politicians are people too and it will be nice for people to see me as me. We are human too."
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He added: “When I got approached to take part, I did think long and hard about it but one of the reasons that I felt able to say yes was because the IAC team have put in place a system so I can be reached at any point on any urgent constituency matters.
“Lots of people have a view on me from being Health Secretary in the pandemic dealing with some very difficult issues, but that’s not the whole story. I am looking forward to throwing myself into it all like I do everything in life. You can’t hide anything in the jungle, you see somebody warts and all.”
While the MP admits he is a fan of the show, he revealed what he's most afraid of: snakes. “I have never come across a snake at close quarters and so I am pretty worried about anything to do with snakes. I am not claustrophobic or at least I haven’t been found to be but that’s the thing about I’m A Celebrity – it is the unknown.
“I’ve watched the show over the years, I love how it gets down to the essence of people but it’s really entertaining as well.”
And entertainment is what he's preparing himself for, as he revealed that he wouldn't be surprised if the British public and some of his Parliamentary colleagues vote for him to complete a number of trials. Taking it lightly, however, he added: "I am hoping I can win some stars for the camp, but most of all I am looking forward to being myself.”
As for what his campmates are going to think of him, he mused: "I have no idea what they are going to think. I am a pretty cheerful person and so I hope I can keep everyone’s morale up. I like to muck in and I think I will be picking up a lot of firewood for everyone. I hope to do my bit when it comes to cooking too.”
His new jungle companion, Seann Walsh, 36, who revealed he nearly turned down the chance to go on the hit show, said he hopes to prove to the British public that he is "very different" to the last time he was on a reality television show - he appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018, but was received unfavourably after he became involved in a cheating scandal with his dance patner, Katya Jones. He said: "People have voiced their feelings about me and I am hoping they will see I am very different. I want to create new memories."
Speaking of his excitement around appearing on the show, he said: "I can’t cook but I seriously can’t wait to go on now. The idea of sitting around the fire with people who have probably won gold medals, pop stars and actors putting the world to rights is exciting.”
Viewers are likley to watch this unfold on Wednesday, November 9, when it's likely the pair are going to enter the camp for the first time.
I'm A Celebrity continues tonight at 9pm on ITV. For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
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