Boy George has criticised his former I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! campmate Matt Hancock, claiming the Conservative MP lied to the British public and his co-stars. In a fresh interview, the Culture Club star claimed the former Health Secretary took part in the ITV reality show for 'forgiveness' over the backlash he received for his behaviour during the pandemic.
Boy George said Hancock was only in it to repair his public image and become a 'rock star' in fans' eyes. The MP came third in the popular reality show, behind actor Owen Warner and Lioness Jill Scott. And The Mirror reports how Hancock plans the release a tell-all book on his life as Health Secretary during the pandemic and the exposure of his affair.
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."
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"He did it because he wants to kick up his heels and have a good time," he told The Sun on Sunday. 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."
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.
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. ITV viewers saw the campmates attempt to grill the MP on his time as Health Secretary, affair with Tory aide Gina Coladangelo 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.
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