I’m A Celebrity 2022: Matt Hancock enters jungle so “People will see the real me”

Matt Hancock is finally down under in the I’m A Celebrity jungle, while his colleague Gavin Williamson has resigned over allegations of bullying.

At the end of last night’s episode, the arrival of the disgraced former health secretary – who lost the Tory whip for agreeing to appear – was teased by hosts Ant and Dec.

Matt Hancock has admitted it would be ‘wonderful’ to win I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, while sharing that he hopes to keep morale high in camp.

The former health secretary will be taking on his first trial of the series when he arrives on the ITV show on Wednesday night along with comedian Seann Walsh.

After a pre-recorded VT revealed Mr Hancock insisting that viewers will see his ‘human side’, the politician reflected on how he would feel if he was crowned King of the Jungle.

‘It would be the icing on the cake and that would be wonderful,’ he said. ‘But I am not expecting it.’

That being said, the MP for West Suffolk is not sure what his fellow campmates will make of his grand entrance into the jungle.

‘I have no idea what they are going to think,’ he commented. ‘I am a pretty cheerful person and so I hope I can keep everyone’s morale up.

‘I like to muck in and I think I will be picking up a lot of firewood for everyone. I hope to do my bit when it comes to cooking too.’

I’m A Celebrity viewers are already planning on voting for Mr Hancock to take on all of the trials – and he’s well prepared.

‘I wouldn’t be surprised if I end up doing some of the trials!’ he remarked. ‘I am hoping I can win some stars for the camp, but most of all I am looking forward to being myself.’

And he is set to make his full appearance tonight, along with a fellow latecomer, comedian Seann Walsh.

Last year Mr Hancock, reportedly getting up to £400,000 for his reality show role, had to step down from his health post after breaching his government’s Covid rules by kissing his aide, Gina Coladangelo. Both were married.

Mr Hancock, 44, will be a campmate to Loose Women host Charlene White, 42, who lost her great-aunt in 2020 and has shared she couldn’t hug her family at the funeral because she stuck to social distancing rules.

It is understood that Mr Hancock and Seann will stay in a separate camp before being united with other celebs.

The pair will join the current line up which includes Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver, presenter Scarlette Douglas, Loose Women’s Charlene White, Hollyoaks actor Owen Warner and comedian Babatúndé Aléshé.

They’re joined by radio presenter Chris Moyles, England footballer Jill Scott, ex England rugby player Mike Tindall, Love Island’s Olivia Attwood and pop icon Boy George.

As ever, will be parted from their home comforts and instead head to the jungle Down Under with a whole host of surprises created just for them.

We’ll tune in as the stars are faced with testing trials for food & treats in the lead up to one of them being named this year’s King or Queen of the Jungle

They may have much to bond over – as former Strictly star Seann, 36, has been entangled in his own cheating scandal, when he was seen locking lips with dancer Katya Jones.

Their entrance follows Love Islander Olivia Attwood’s shock exit on medical grounds.

Elsewhere on the ITV show, tensions simmered between Charlene and Boy George, 61, who dubbed the presenter ‘very controlling’ after she took charge of cooking kangaroo sausages.

Culture Club singer George told property expert Scarlette Douglas: ‘She tells you what to do, and it really rubs you up the wrong way.’ He later told Charlene she was ‘being the boss’.

Meanwhile, comedian Babatunde Aleshe conquered his height fears and scored full marks crawling around a 100ft-high rig in the Horrifying Heights bushtucker trial.

I’m a Celeb continues at 9pm on ITV and ITV Hub.