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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Katie Fitzpatrick

Matt Hancock says people will see him 'warts and all' as he makes ITV I'm a Celebrity debut

Former health secretary Matt Hancock finally made his debut on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! after being the show's 'worst kept secret'. The 44-year-old MP, who was Secretary of State for Health and Social Care during the Covid-19 pandemic, was finally confirmed as a latecomer to the famous camp at the very end of Tuesday night's episode (November 8).

Campmates including 80s pop singer Boy George, Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver and DJ Chris Moyles, were told by hosts Ant and Dec that they were not required to do tomorrow night's trial and could relax because two new arrivals would be doing it instead. It's still a surprise to the celebs for now, but viewers watching at home were then shown video clips of Matt and comedian Sean Walsh preparing for jungle life as they donned sturdy boots and bush hats.

Ant and Dec joked to camera that it was "the worst kept secret on TV." Matt himself confirmed his own signing last week as he was snapped arriving into Brisbane Airport as well as writing an article to defend his decision to say yes to appearing on the popular programme.

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Matt, who was suspended by the Tory party in the wake of his controversial signing being revealed, says the running the gauntlet in the jungle on the ITV show is "a good metaphor for the world that I work in."

He said in his introduction: "This experience will be an adventire, when I'm in camp people will just see the real me. Survival in the jungle is a good metaphor for the world that I work in.

The West Suffolk MP made his debut at the end of the show (ITV)

"People will see me warts and all, see the human side of the guy behind the podium." He added: "I don't think I've got any fears or phobias but I'll find out."

Fans watching at home reacted to his arrival. @Hbleakz tweeted: "Fully can’t believe Matt Hancock has actually gone in."@GerryNeill6 said: "@imacelebrity ye have no shame bringing Matt Hancock onto #ImACeleb the worst decision ye ever made."

@LisaDan24031629 warned: "The British public shall all now unite to vote for matt hancock to do every trial." And @hannahIouisep said: "Matt Hancock saying he wants people to see the human side of him and not the man behind the podium. Oh he’s got some balls."

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