Janet Street-Porter hit out at Matt Hancock on today's edition of Loose Women, as the Tory MP prepares to appear on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!
The ITV panelist joked the former Health Secretary must be 'having a mid-life crisis' after agreeing to appear on the reality TV show, and recalled a past experience she had with the 'thin-skinned' politician.
The Conservative Party politician has been stripped of the Tory whip after signing up for the long-running series, as he joins the likes of Chris Moyles, Love Island star Olivia Attwood and royal Mike Tindall preparing themselves for a stint in the Australian jungle.
A political ally close to the former health secretary has revealed the politician's reasons for signing up for the reality TV show and claimed Mr Hancock - who receives a £84,144 yearly salary as an elected MP - will declare the cash he receives for appearing on I'm a Celebrity.
Shortly after the news broke Mr Hancock will possibly be subjected to Bushtucker Trials later this month, Loose Women aired on ITV - with the four women on the panel having a lot to say about the latest I'm a Celebrity signing.
The West Suffolk MP was forced to quit as health secretary in June 2021 after breaking coronavirus lockdown rules by conducting an affair in his ministerial office with aide Gina Coladangelo.
After watching a video message from panelist Charlene White - who is already Down Under ready for the show to start on Sunday - talk then turned Hancock's possible cameo alongside their co-star.
"He'll be picked to do every challenge without a doubt," Janet declared when discussing Mr Hancock's upcoming camping experience.
"Having a mid life crisis," she quipped, as he co-stars pondered why the disgraced politician has agreed to go on the ITV show.
Janet then went on to reveal: "Also, you might not know this, but he have a very, very thin skin because I once wrote something about him.
"I wrote a rather sneering piece about him. Next thing, his P.A is ringing my agent saying 'Matt's not very happy. He wants to take Janet for a coffee'."
Laughing, she added: "Well he's going to learn what it's like to be disliked."
As it was revealed Mr Hancock will be swapping political duties for Bucktucker Trials later this month, Chief Whip Simon Hart said the situation was so serious he should have the right to sit as a Conservative suspended.
"Following a conversation with Matt Hancock, I have considered the situation and believe this is a matter serious enough to warrant suspension of the whip with immediate effect," Mr Hart said as it was revealed Mr Hancock would be appearing on the ITV show.
A political ally of Hancock's believes the former health secretary has made the right decision by signing up to appear on the ITV show - claiming it's a way for the politician to engage with voters.
Mr Hancock has also been accused of 'cashing in' on his past political position, amid the former health secretary's memoirs being released later this year.
*Loose Women airs weekdays on 12.30pm on ITV and ITVHub
