Matt Hancock has reflected on his "controversial" stint on I'm A Celebrity as he opened up on his time in the jungle in new scenes set to air this week.
The former Health Secretary is set to appear on screen once again in a special episode just days after leaving the jungle, in a stint that proved to be perhaps the most contentious sign-up in the ITV show's history. While the 44-year-old won some viewers over and managed to secure third place from audience votes, many others vowed to boycott the show over the politician's appearance.
Viewers will see the MP discuss his time in the jungle with partner Gina Coladangelo, with whom he was famously caught on CCTV having an affair with when Covid restrictions were in place. The pair will feature in the I'm A Celeb Coming Out Show on ITV1 this Thursday. "I knew going in it would be controversial, but I also know millions of people have voted for me," he said as he reflected on the reaction to his stint in camp.
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Hancock quizzed his partner on how he came across in the jungle, asking: "Of course I'm curious as to how it's gone - was I authentically me?" Coladangelo replied that she thought it took him "a few days to relax" in camp and show his true self.
The MP also referenced the grilling he was given by several of his fellow I'm A Celebrity stars over the actions that led to his resignation during the pandemic, including Charlene White, Boy George and Babatunde Aleshe. "I felt like people were asking me on behalf of the British public," he admitted.
Coladangelo also shared her thoughts on the backlash that was sparked by the announcement that Hancock was heading into the jungle, in scenes set to air on ITV on Thursday. "I think it’s fair to say that Matt underestimated the scale of the reaction to him coming into the jungle," she revealed.
"He’s made of tough stuff - this summer we trekked around Mont Blanc together in four days. My last words to him were 'just be yourself, be the Matt I know and it’ll go really well.'"
The West Suffolk MP is set to return to Parliament this week for the first time since the jungle, appearing in the House of Commons on Friday to attend the second reading of his Dyslexia Screening and Teacher Training Bill. He is expected to face a grilling from political colleagues as well as constituents over his decision to sign up for I'm A Celeb, which saw him have the Tory whip suspended.
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