Matt Hancock could be spared one of the most gruelling parts of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! because of a condition that he is said to have developed while filming another reality show.
The former Health Secretary caused an uproar when it was revealed that he had joined the line-up for the new ITV series, which begins airing this Sunday. Bookies quickly put money on the MP being voted to do the most Bushtucker Trials in the history of the show - but this may not end up being the case, according to reports.
A source told The Sun that Hancock could be exempt from taking part in the often gruesome and terrifying trials due to a health condition that he developed while filming Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. "When he was filming SAS Who Dares Wins in October, Matt got trench foot – in fact, a lot of the cast did," they said.
"It can take up to six months to recover from that, so any water-based tasks or swimming trials would be bad news for his feet." Trench Foot is caused by prolonged exposure to cold and damp conditions, so the 44-year-old could therefore be ruled out of any challenges that involve getting his feet wet, The Mirror reports.
Hancock's colleague Isabel Oakeshott gave some insight into his thinking behind joining the show during an appearance on Wednesday's This Morning. Speaking to Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, Oakeshott revealed that Hancock had asked her whether the thought him signing up to I'm A Celeb was "a good idea".
"Obviously I presented the pros and cons. Before I knew it, he had disappeared off to Australia," she said. "So I think this was a pretty last minute decision. Although, he has said publicly he’s twice turned it down before."
His colleague added that she thought Hancock may have gone into the jungle because "he wants people to see a different side of his personality". The MP had the Tory whip suspended after news emerged of him signing up to I'm A Celeb, as well as attracting widespread criticism for his decision.
The Mirror has contacted ITV for comment.
READ NEXT:
-
Loose Women's Denise Welch wants to go in I'm A Celebrity for jungle 'showdown' with Matt Hancock
-
I'm A Celebrity's Jill Scott tipped to win before even setting foot in jungle
-
I'm A Celebrity has major twist in store for stars as public voting opens before series starts
-
I'm A Celeb's Charlene White says viewer's comment about her weight left her feeling 'disgusting'
-
I'm A Celebrity 'moves' to Channel 5 for two hour special ahead of new series
