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Simon Duke

Loose Women's Denise Welch wants to go in I'm A Celebrity for jungle 'showdown' with Matt Hancock

Denise Welch has said she'd go into the I'm A Celebrity for a jungle 'showdown' with Matt Hancock, after being left furious by him appearing on the show.

On Tuesday morning it was reported that the former Health Secretary, who quit the role after being captured cheating on his wife in Downing Street offices, whilst the country was subject to strict Covid restrictions, was going into I'm A Celebrity as a surprise late arrival, after the rest of the line-up had been announced.

And then, later that day, after it was revealed he'd been suspended by the chief whip, Hancock was seen at Brisbane airport, all but confirming his involvement in I'm A Celeb, ahead of the new series starting on Sunday. News that he will be doing the show has caused a media storm and had bookies tipping him to be voted to do the most trials in I'm A Celebrity history.

READ MORE: Ant and Dec 'targeted' I'm A Celebrity contestant for years

Whole an insider claims ITV bosses are delighted to have pulled off the "sensational booking," many people are furious that a man who sparked so much anger and broke the rules is allowed the chance to be in the much loved programme.

One of those very much against Hancock being on I'm A Celebrity is Denise, who lambasted his casting in the opening minutes of Wednesday's Loose Women. She said: "I am fuming, which won't surprise anybody. But, I am fuming and I am disgusted and I cannot find any humour in this appointment at all."

She continued: "As far as I'm concerned, we are still suffering the repercussions of what happened over the last few years and I was very vocal about Covid restrictions, some being incredibly unnecessary and the impact that would have on people's livelihoods and mental health and Matt Hancock was at the forefront of those.

Matt Hancock arrives in Brisbane, Australia. (Tim Merry/Mirrorpix)

"We all know now, that while we weren't allowed to see our granny and anybody and I am included in this, who had a family member in hospital or in a home during Covid, wasn't allowed to see them at certain times and I live with the pain of that every day. And there are people who were not allowed to see their family for a year."

She went on to say how while people were forced to do tests before visiting relatives in homes or hospitals, he (Matt Hancock) was "having an affair with some woman in a broom cupboard," prompting cheers and applause from the studio audience.

After saying that it riled her that Matt Hancock was going to go in the jungle and 'pretend to be Mr Nice Guy,' Denise said, while she didn't envy anyone who'd ever done I'm A Celebrity, she'd love to go in to confront him, adding: "I'd go in there for nowt, for one hour with Matt Hancock, forcing host Jane Moore to quip: "I don't think you could cover all you've got to say in one hour," as Denise replied: "I'd give it a good try."

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