He is talking tripe: Voters’ harsh verdict on Hancock as jungle celebs arrive in camp

Fearful stars arrived in the jungle yesterday for the new series of ITV’s I’m A Celebrity – with one notable exception.

Former health secretary Matt Hancock was not among the first wave to reach camp in Australia but is expected to turn up within days as his decision to accept a reported £400,000 to appear on the show led to fierce criticism.

Yesterday, he came under fire from his own constituents in West Suffolk who are without parliamentary representation as the MP, who also has a book due out about his time as health secretary during the pandemic, appears on the ITV reality show starting tonight.

Hancock’s decision to take part has already led him to be suspended by the Conservatives and cost him the whip, with some critics labelling him “the man with no shame”.

The former health secretary insists he will bring politics to a younger, previously less engaged audience. But the move has not gone down well with many of his constituents.

Hancock’s explanation for taking part “is a load of drivel”, said Anne Rogers, 65, a local administrator. “It is not the sort of programme where people talk politics.”

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Retired police officer Dave Diaper, 75, said of his MP: “He has been dishing out pure tripe. Politics has been devalued so much.” Haverhill Town Council has written to Hancock to voice its anger at his involvement with the show and urging him to resign as West Suffolk MP.

The council’s clerk Colin Poole said a majority of members had directed him to register their displeasure at him being absent from constituency duties.

“At a time when unprecedented cost-of-living pressures on your residents are causing real hardship to them. My members believe we need all hands on deck to fight our corner,” the letter said. “Currently there is nobody to speak for West Suffolk in the House of Commons.”

It added: “By your actions you have made it clear to everyone that you see your future outside of politics. My members ask that you do the honourable thing and resign your seat.”

However, sources close to Hancock said it was an “incredible opportunity for him to engage with 12m Brits”, using his time in the Australian jungle to promote his dyslexia campaign while his office insisted he “is still working on constituency matters”.

Former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale also faced criticism after agreeing to appear on the show in 2017 and her former adviser Alan Roden, writing in The Post today, said she had similar but ill-fated hopes of discussing serious issues in camp.

Former MP and show contestant Lembit Opik said yesterday that Hancock had nothing to lose after being forced to resign whe he was pictured in an extra-marital clinch with an aide in breach of lockdown rules in June.

“He starts from such a low base in the public eye that the only way is up,” he said. “Matt’s a little naïve as a person, he’s almost endearingly innocent in a way. For a cabinet minister you would expect more maturity and depth.”

However, the MP could be set for life financially after his appearance on I’m A Celebrity, Opik said.

“Most people never look back after being in the jungle,” he explained. “There’s a speaker circuit, a superficial celebrity circuit, all there for you afterwards.

“It really is a game changer. For Hancock, if he plays it right, it’s already made him a celebrity, but it will give him a whole new direction for the rest of his life.”

This season’s line-up also includes singer Boy George, who is reportedly being paid £800,000, the show’s biggest ever fee, Coronation Street actress Sue Cleaver, Hollyoaks star Owen Warner, TV property expert Scarlette Douglas, ex-England rugby player Mike Tindall, TV presenter and journalist Charlene White, radio broadcaster Chris Moyles, England women’s footballer Jill Scott, comedians Babatunde Aléshé and Seann Walsh plus TV personality Olivia Attwood. Veteran entertainment PR Julian Henry said casting is everything for reality shows.

“They’ve pumped more time and money into getting names for I’m A Celebrity that will cut through, like Boy George and Hancock. It looks like a strong bill,” he said.

“From the producer’s point of view, it’s terrific as Hancock is a bumbling idiot who will happily put his hand up for all types of ritual humiliation thinking he will endear himself to the public.”

Around the campfire, it is about ratings not political passions

By Alan Roden

There is a strange autumnal tradition in Brisbane Airport which brings together a gaggle of photographers and journalists, a dozen or so minor British celebrities or their friends, anxious ITV producers and baffled Australian passengers. When I landed in 2017 as Kezia Dugdale’s adviser and friend, the question I was asked was: “Did you recommend she should do the show?”

The truth is that we discussed all the pros and cons – which is what Hancock’s confidantes have also said over the past week. The downsides are fairly obvious – anger within your own political party and possible suspension, a backlash from constituents and footage from repulsive trials that the internet will never forget.

The pros are the large fee, the extraordinary reach of one of the country’s most popular TV programmes, and the new platform it gives you. But using that platform to promote your own passions or causes is not easy.

The producers make lots of promises before you enter the jungle – which is why Hancock’s allies are talking up his campaign for people with dyslexia.

But the reality of this “reality” show is that, once you’re in the camp, you’re at the mercy of a team of producers.

Kez may have hoped for entertaining chats about politics, but she found most of the campmates weren’t interested.

One conversation about Jeremy Corbyn’s election prospects never made the cut. The producers were, understandably, far more interested in stories such as Amir Khan and Iain Lee secretly scoffing strawberries and cream.

Hancock will face similar challenges in the jungle.

This is a show obsessed with TV ratings, not political passions.

The celebrities will be seen arriving in camp as the show returns to ITV tonight at 9pm