Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Lucy Needham

Boy George savages Matt Hancock and warns fans not to fall for I'm A Celeb 'lies'

Boy George has let rip at his former I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! campmate Matt Hancock, who he says lied to the British public and his co-stars.

The singer slammed the Tory MP for claiming he took part in the ITV reality show for 'forgiveness' over his Covid rule-breaks and policy failures.

In an explosive new interview, Boy George said Hancock is only interested in raising his profile and becoming a 'rock star' in fans' eyes.

After coming third in the show, behind actor Owen Warner and Lioness Jill Scott, the MP has so far announced plans to quit politics and released a tell-all book on his life as Health Secretary during the pandemic and the exposure of his affair.

Boy George has stuck the knife into I'm A Celeb campmate Matt Hancock (James Gourley/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

The West Suffolk MP and former health secretary had insisted that his constituents were his "first priority" when entering the jungle, claiming the reality TV show would be an "honest and unfiltered" way to communicate with voters.

However Karma Chameleon singer George, who initially clashed with the former health secretary on the show, has now warned: "Don't believe anything he says about why he did it."

"He did it because he wants to kick up his heels and have a good time," he told The Sun on Sunday.

Matt and girlfriend Gina attend the Jingle Bell Ball after the MP announced he was standing down from politics (Jonathan Hordle/Global/REX/Shutterstock)

"We all know that politicians are real people. We also know everyone wants to be a rock star, everybody. Especially politicians.
"So it's impossible to believe some people's reasons for doing something.

"Ultimately, they are doing it for a bigger profile, a bit more attention, hopefully showing people a different side."

The singer said Matt is only interested in being a 'rock star' in the eyes of the British public (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Hancock surpassed the expectations of many by reaching the final of the ITV reality show but came behind the winner, Euro 2022 champion Jill Scott, and Hollyoaks actor Owen Warner following a public vote.

During his time in the jungle, he was voted to complete a host of Bushtucker Trials and was grilled over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic by fellow contestants, including George.

Matt attended one of Seann Walsh's comedy gigs (seannwalsh/Instagram)

His decision to join the show at a time when Parliament was sitting saw him suspended from the Conservative Parliamentary Party and prompted criticism from the Prime Minister and MPs across the political spectrum.

It was revealed this week that Hancock would not be standing at the next general election as he looks to "influence the public debate" from outside Parliament.

Since leaving the jungle, Hancock was booed as he attended co-star Seann Walsh's comedy gig.

Boy George was open about his disdain for Hancock in the jungle (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

ITV viewers saw the campmates attempt to grill the MP on his time as Health Secretary, affair with Tory aide Gina and his reasons for taking part in the show while still holding down his job in parliament.

Hancock said he was doing the show for 'forgiveness' and explained he had cheated on his wife of 15 years simply because he had 'fallen in love'.

After leaving camp, many of Hancock's co-stars said they tried to separate their views of the politician with 'Matt' to keep things civil on the show.

However on leaving, ITV newsreader Charlene White said her experience in camp was never the same after Hancock joined as she said she had to 'walk a tightrope' and in her eyes the 'fun stopped' when the MP joined.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.