I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! has been hit with a wave of Ofcom complaints as the total number of viewers ridiculing Matt Hancock's appearance soars above 3,000. The ITV reality show returned Down Under this year after a two year break during the coronavirus pandemic - but the 2022 series has not been without controversy.
A batch of 12 new celebrities entered camp, Matt Hancock hit the headlines for his controversial entry on the show as a serving MP. As a result, TV regulator Ofcom has since received 3,287 complaints, with a total of 1,764 relating to his presence in the jungle, Chronicle Live reports.
In a statement last week, Ofcom explained: "It's worth being aware that under our rules, in principle - and taking into account freedom of expression - there's no ban on any particular person taking part in programmes. However, if the mere presence of a person is likely to cause offence, we would expect broadcasters to take steps to mitigate or justify that offence. How they do that editorially, is up to them."
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The politician is in the final seven campmates, alongside Jill Scott, Owen Warner, Babatunde Aleshe, Chris Moyles, Seann Walsh and Mike Tindall. Days after his arrival, a gigantic banner was flown over the camp calling for Hancock to "get out of here" in a powerful message from campaign group Covid-19 Bereaved Families For Justice.
Matt Hancock dramatically quit as Health Secretary in 2021 after admitting breaking Covid rules during an alleged affair with his aide, Gina Coladangelo, in his departmental office. The former minister said that his affair had not broken any laws, but admitted he breached his own guidance.
In his letter of resignation, Mr Hancock said: "The last thing I would want is for my private life to distract attention from the single-minded focus that is leading us out of this crisis. I want to reiterate my apology for breaking the guidance, and apologise to my family and loved ones for putting them through this. I also need to be with my children at this time."
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