Matt Hancock's family couldn't resist a little dig at Chris Moyles after he became the sixth campmate to be eliminated from I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here. The radio DJ received the fewest votes from the public meaning he was the next to leave the jungle after Charlene White, Scarlette Douglas, Sue Cleaver, and Babatunde Aleshe.
During his 20 days in the Australian jungle, Chris had moments of highs and lows and struggled throughout the series when faced with Bushtucker trials. And after his exit, he told hosts Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly: "I’m gutted that Matt Hancock is more popular than me, what the bejesus is going on?"
Then speaking to Lorraine Kelly on her self-titled ITV show on Friday, the morning after his exit, Chris admitted that the former health secretary's popularity in the ITV reality show was probably "blowing the mind of 50% of the UK" but the other half must be "hugely entertained" by him.
The radio DJ, 48, was asked by Lorraine if he was upset that Matt was more popular than him to which he replied: "This is blowing my mind, Lorraine and I know it’s probably blowing the mind of 50% of the UK but clearly 50% of the UK are being hugely entertained by him.
"But here’s the thing, we genuinely have no idea what’s in the show. I genuinely don’t know what they show in the show because they take a handful of minutes from every 24 hours. I know how I felt about him going in, but how is everybody else feeling about him going in. It’s a tricky one and I certainly struggled with it when he first appeared because he should be at work. But he as a campmate did all he could and was very eager to please – I think there’s reason for that."
Taking to Instagram on Thursday evening following Chris' exit from the jungle, Matt's family made a subtle jibe, referring to when Matt entered the jungle as a latecomer with comedian Seann Walsh and the pair had to act as undercover 'moles' and one of the challenges was to call Chris Greg three times.
In a photo of Matt and Chris hugging as the latter left the camp, Matt's family, who are looking after his social media while he's in the show, wrote: "Sad to see another huge personality leave the jungle. Well done to Greg... I mean Chris Moyles, on coming so far - a huge achievement." They then added: "Thank you to everyone who has voted to keep Matt in. Your support has been incredible."
Taking to the comments, fans were showing their support for Matt as Chris came under fire for his exit comments. @laurajaneandwinniehope said: "He wasn't very nice about Matt in the interview after. I really didn't enjoy Chris at all." @michelleheadon replied: "I turned off just before the interview, not interested in his view / nastiness whatsoever!" @lou19862022 added: "Glad Chris went, I found that interview uncomfortable."
Chris has since also spoke to his Radio X colleagues in his first in-depth interview, revealing everything from what he really thinks of the West Suffolk MP to behind the scenes secrets. "I don't know what's been in the show.... I was venting quite a lot when he first came in," Chris admitted referring to Matt.
"Because, well, I'll just say he should be at work, because he's an MP and he's paid to look after people and their interests and hopefully make their lives better. I don't know how he does that by going on the jungle show. And then there was a moment when we got into a conversation about him and it got quite tense, which I accidentally started by being a smartass and going 'so when is your book out' and he went next month and I didn't know he had a book out."
He then admitted that to cope with Matt, 44, being in camp, he separated Matt Hancock the MP with Matt in camp. "As a campmate he did an amazing job. And as a guy he lives in a different world to you and me. But, he's a human being," he said. "There's Matt Hancock, who I have issues with, and there's Matt who I was in the jungle with and I know that sounds almost like an excuse, but it was the only way that myself and others could deal with that fact."
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