FORMER health secretary Matt Hancock has been confirmed as a surprise guest on the latest series of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!.
There are many politicians before him who have made the trip Down Under, so here’s a look at those in the past who have faced critters, heights, and kangaroo anuses before…
Kezia Dugdale and the 'Sickola Sturgeon' tank
The former Scottish Labour leader joined the reality TV show in 2017 and caused tensions within the party as a result, as she faced an internal inquiry on her return from Australia after agreeing to take part without formal approval.
She had insisted it was a “big gamble” going on the show but after becoming the second contestant to be evicted she insisted she did the right thing by signing up.
She told ITV morning show Lorraine at the time: “I know I’m going back to a good deal of criticism and I will take that face on. I’ve got to have a lot of conversations with people but I’m going back with my head held high.”
News Dugdale was to be a contestant leaked out the night before Richard Leonard was confirmed as her leadership successor in November following her resignation the previous August.
In the end, she never faced suspension as Hancock has from his party.
Dugdale took on challenges including drinking a milkshake of ostrich and pig anuses and crawling through fish guts in a tank labelled 'Sickola Sturgeon'.
Edwina Currie's bust-ups
The ever-controversial Currie, the Conservative MP for South Derbyshire from 1983 until 1997, entered the jungle during the 14th season of I’m A Celebrity.
The 76-year-old, who also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2011, joined the reality show as a late entry alongside X-Factor star Jake Quickenden.
The former junior health minister finished fourth in the competition, but not before becoming involved in a couple of heated situations.
During the series, Currie found herself in a number of bust-ups with her fellow campmate, American reality star Kendra Wilkinson, and memorably shocked the other contestants with her prolonged shouting of “Mel” in an attempt to get the attention of campmate Melanie Sykes.
Stanley Johnson's Made in Chelsea friendship
Former Conservative MEP Stanley Johnson braved the Australian jungle as part of the show’s 17th series alongside Dugdale.
The father of former prime minister Boris Johnson formed an unlikely friendship with Made In Chelsea star Georgia “Toff” Toffolo, who went on to be crowned Queen of the Jungle that year.
After meeting on the show, 82-year-old Johnson, and Toffolo, 28, went on to star in a number of other reality shows together, including Celebrity Hunted and Celebrity Antiques Road Trip.
Nadine Dorries first to go
Tory MP and former culture secretary Nadine Dorries took part in I’m A Celebrity in 2012, the first sitting MP to appear on the show, but was suspended by the Conservative Party for her appearance.
She later apologised to the House of Commons over the fee she was paid for appearing in the popular programme, which saw her become the first contestant voted out of the jungle by the public.
Lembit Opik's snake bite
In 2010, former MP Lembit Opik became the second campmate to be voted off I’m A Celebrity.
The Liberal Democrat survived for two weeks in the Australian jungle, during which time he was bitten by a snake while completing a task.
The 57-year-old has also appeared in celebrity versions of The Apprentice and Come Dine With Me.
Robert Kilroy-Silk's short stint
Former Labour MP and MEP Robert Kilroy-Silk had an unsuccessful spell in the I’m A Celebrity jungle in 2008.
The ex-chat show host survived just 12 days in the jungle after going up against former Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner Brian Paddick in the public vote.
