Matt Hanock shocked the nation when it was revealed he was to enter the I’m a Celebrity jungle this year. Despite voting for him to take part in six consecutive bushtucker trials , the Conservative politician left in third place.
After saying farewell to hosts Ant and Dec , Hancock went to face the photographers at the end of the bridge, where he was met by his girlfriend Gina Coladangelo .
Coladangelo made headlines alongside Hancock for the first time back in June 2021, when CCTV footage emerged of the pair kissing. The scandal, which documented the couple breaking coronavirus social distancing rules, led to Hancock’s resignation in 2021.
Read more: Proud North East reacts as Lioness Jill Scott is crowned Queen of the Jungle
Who is Gina Coladangelo?
Gina Coladangelo was born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire to Italian “multi-millionaire” businessman Rino Casmia Coladangelo and Heather Coladangelo. She attended Oxford University from 1995 to 1998, studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics and obtained a Master’s degree from Oriel College.
She was the communications director at Oliver Bonas, the lifestyle and fashion store founded by her husband Oliver Tress, with whom she shares three children, though they are now separated. She is also the director and major shareholder of the lobbying firm Luther Pendragon, which claims to offer its clients a “deep understanding of the mechanics of government”.
She first met Matt Hancock at Oxford University where they worked together on student radio. She presented the news while Mr Hancock presented the sport.
A scandal emerged when Mr Hancock appointed the former lobbyist as an unpaid advisor at the department of health while he was Health Secretary. There was no public record of the appointment at the time, according to The Times.
Ms Coladangelo was later appointed to the DHSC board in a £15,000-a-year role funded by the taxpayer. The couple’s affair was exposed after CCTV footage of a steamy exchange between them was leaked.
As a result, Ms Coladangelo resigned and Mr Hancock stepped down and returned to the back benches. The couple has continued their relationship, though it is reported that they are not living together.
In the emotional letters from home section of I’m a Celeb, Gina wrote: “Dear Matt, wow watching you in the jungle has been quite the experience. We are particularly impressed that you conquered your fear of snakes.
“We are less sure about the dancing. Although we saw that you almost got the electric slide thanks to Scarlette. Gina xxxxx”
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