We don’t think anyone was expecting to see Matt Hancock signing up for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! on their 2022 bingo card, but here we are.
On Tuesday, it was announced that the former health secretary had signed up for the ITV programme, with the MP subsequently suspended from the Conservative Party as a result.
It’s reported that the politician will be featuring the show as a late arrival alongside comedian Seann Walsh, joining fellow members of the cast including royal Mike Tindall, singer Boy George, Love Island star Olivia Attwood and radio DJ Chris Moyles.
Several celebrities including Piers Morgan, Lorraine Kelly and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have weighed in over the surprise announcement, with TalkTV frontman Piers actually feeling ‘sorry for the kangaroo testicles.’
While morning presenter Lorraine is expecting to see Mr Hancock butt heads ‘with people like Boy George.’
As Mr Hancock prepares to potentially break show records as the campmate nominated for the most trials, let’s have a refresh of previous MPs that have faced their fears Down Under.
Edwina Currie
In 2014, former Conservative party politician Edwina Currie entered the jungle alongside reality stars Jake Quickenden and Melanie Sykes.
During her time on the show – which was won by superbike racer Carl “Foggy” Fogarty – she kept her campmates captivated with her blunt and direct manner which ultimately resulted in her finishing in fourth place.
Ms Currie also found herself in a series of bust-ups with US TV personality Kendra Wilkinson.
Following her stint on the survival programme, Currie’s additional reality TV credits include Hell’s Kitchen, Celebrity Wife Swap, Celebrity Come Dine With Me and Celebrity Stars In Their Eyes
When asked why she took part in I’m A Celeb, she said: ‘Whenever anyone asks me that, I say there is only one answer: money. That is why you do it. But they did not pay me enough – I reckon I was worth twice as much.
‘In three weeks I earned close to £100,000. But if you really do not like bugs, there is no money that can make it worthwhile.’
Guess she must have turned down the chance to appear on the All-Stars spin-off.
Stanley Johnson
Father of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson Stanley, was booted off I’m Celeb on series 17.
And who would have thought that he would have found a bestie in Made In Chelsea’s Georgia Toffolo – who ended up winning the show that year.
The 82-year-old was the oldest contestant ever to be on the show, and despite not being much of a fan on I’m A Celeb, he was a big hit with the campmates.
Upon leaving the I’m A Celebrity camp at the time, he revealed that he just couldn’t wait to check his emails and find out what has been going on in the outside world.
We hope he’s all caught up now!
The ex-politician reportedly raked it in from his appearance on I’m A Celeb five years ago after negotiating a six-figure sum for partaking in the show.
Stanley and Georgia’s wholesome bond certainly proved a hit with viewers – and certainly did wonders for the environmentalist’s TV career – as they were involved in a number of TV projects including Celebrity Hunted and Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, following their time in the jungle.
The unorthodox duo were also recently spotted attending the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham.
Nadine Dorries
Former culture secretary Nadine Dorries made her jungle debut a decade ago.
Nope, we can’t believe it either!
She certainly entered with a bang, as she was the first sitting MP to star on the show alongside the likes of The Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts, boxer David Haye and EastEnders’ Charlie Brooks – who won the series.
However, that journey was short-lived after being the first candidate that got the boot.
Ms Dorries found herself in hot water when she landed in the UK, after failing to inform the Conservative chief whip or the chairman of her local party of her plans to appear on the show.
She was later suspended for not declaring the fees she received for appearing on the show, before being reinstated in May, 2013.
Lembit Opik
Similar to Ms Dorries, ex-Liberal Democrat Lembit Opik also had a short experience on the annual programme.
However, he endured a pretty nasty encounter with a snake after him and singer/songwriter Shaun Ryder were bitten during a Bushtucker trial.
Delightful.
Opik also involved himself in various TV shows, including celebrity editions of The Apprentice and Come Dine With Me.
During Wednesday’s Good Morning, Mr Opik voiced his support for Mr Hancock as he touched down in Australia.
‘I would have gone into that jungle in 2010 if I hadn’t lost my seat in May and I wouldn’t have had any qualms about it at all,’ Mr Öpik declared, referring to the fact that disgraced Tory MP Mr Hancock is still in office.
‘We can always make these arguments,’ Öpik fought back. ‘Boris Johnson was in Barbados recently. You could argue if somebody had an urgent problem in his constituency, he couldn’t have gotten back very fast.
‘I think we’ve got into a right disintegration here. If this wasn’t on TV, we wouldn’t be talking about it. If he’d gone on a quiet fishing holiday to Scotland, people might have said this is a good staycation.’
He continued: ‘I think he’s being a pariah because we can and I think incidentally, that’s why ITV wants him there. It’s absolutely flooding the ratings.’
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! returns on Sunday November 6 at 9pm on ITV.
