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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
John Stevens

Reality TV junkie Matt Hancock raked in £45,000 for Celebrity SAS programme

Reality TV junkie Matt Hancock raked in £45,000 from appearing on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, it has been revealed.

The disgraced ex-Health Secretary took part in the Channel 4 programme last month before heading to Australia for I’m A Celebrity.

Mr Hancock, who earns £84,000-a-year as an MP, declared his bumper fee for taking part in the SAS show in the latest Commons register of interests.

He is also expected to get £400,000 for his appearance in the jungle.

Celebrity SAS sees famous faces put through a gruelling two weeks where they undergo elements of the actual Special Forces selection course.

Matt Hancock in the jungle on I'm A Celebrity (Rex)

Mr Hancock, 44, spent the beginning of October filming abroad for the show, with stars including former model Melinda Messenger, singer Gareth Gates, and TOWIE's James Argent. It is likely to be aired next summer.

He got away with his unexplained absence as an MP for a fortnight, as filming fell within the recess for the Tory party conference.

At the gathering in Manchester, he was listed as a speaker at one fringe event on October 3. But pictures show he was not on the panel. Event organisers said he was "never confirmed".

It is understood Mr Hancock annoyed Channel 4 bosses by appearing in I’m A Celebrity on ITV before Celebrity SAS was screened.

The MP has said he will give some of his fee for appearing on I’m A Celebrity to charity, but has declined to say how much.

He has not said whether he will give away any of the cash earned from Celebrity SAS.

Matt Hancock arrives at the Marriott Hotel with partner Gina Coladangelo (Tim Merry / Daily Star)

Mr Hancock, whose stint in the Australian jungle prompted criticism from the Prime Minister and MPs across the political spectrum, came third during the series finale on Sunday, claiming 21.7% of the initial public vote.

This placed him behind former England footballer Jill Scott in first place and Hollyoaks actor Owen Warner as runner-up.

During the post-series Coming Out Show tomorrow, he will be seen exiting the campsite to be reunited with his partner Gina Coladangelo and attending a wrap party.

Mr Hancock resigned as Health Secretary in June last year after he was caught breaking coronavirus social distancing rules by having an affair with Mrs Coladangelo, then his aide, in his ministerial office.

In footage to be screened tomorrow, he is seen asking her: "Of course I'm curious to how it's gone, was I authentically me?"

Ms Coladangelo replies: "It took a few days I felt for you to relax.”

Mr Hancock adds: "When I was being grilled in the early days, I felt like people were asking me on behalf of the British public.

"I knew going in it would be controversial but I also know millions of people have voted for me."

The episode also sees Ms Coladangelo saying: "I think it's fair to say that Matt underestimated the scale of the reaction to him coming into the jungle.

"He's made of tough stuff, this summer we trekked around Mont Blanc together in four days.

"My last words to him were just be yourself, be the Matt I know and it'll go really well."

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