Matt Hancock has revealed he was paid £45,000 to appear on the Channel 4 reality show Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. The controversial former Health Secretary declared the payment on the MPs’ Register of Interests in an update published yesterday (Nov 30).
The show is expected to be aired next year but was filmed before the West Suffolk MP flew to Australia to appear on ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! Mr Hancock hasn't yet declared the fee he got for I'm A Celeb, which is reported to be £400,000, but he will have to reveal it in a future update of the register.
The register update also revealed the MP spent 80 hours filming Celebrity SAS between September 24 and October 8 - while parliament was in recess. The Channel 4 show features celebrities competing in a series of military training exercises.
READ MORE: I'm A Celeb's Matt Hancock abandons Gina as she flies home alone and he stays to 'cash in on fame'
His decision to take time off from his MP duties to appear on the two reality shows has proved controversial. Mr Hancock was suspended by the Conservative Party and widely criticised after it was emerged he was appearing on I'm A Celebrity, which finished on Sunday (November 27), with the MP placing third after a public vote.
He was also criticised by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba), which scrutinises former minister’s jobs, for failing to seek its advice on his TV appearances. However, Acoba chair Lord Pickles said it would be "disproportionate" to take any further action against him.
Mr Hancock has previously said he would donate part of his I'm A Celeb fee to charity. But how not confirmed how much.
READ NEXT:
Mollie King left 'heartbroken' after dad dies following brain tumour diagnosis
Ex BBC Strictly judge Darcey Bussell says she quit after producers' request
Martin Lewis issues warning over 'staggering' energy bills changes in January
I'm A Celebrity's Mike Tindall makes career announcement after leaving the jungle
TV shows to watch this Christmas - from Call the Midwife to Great Festive Bake Off
