Matt Hancock, former Conservative Health Secretary is heading to the jungle in the latest series of I Am a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here, and is said to be earning £350,000 while Down Under.
Rising East spoke to people in East London to see what reaction the public had to the news.
Journalism student, Hamish Mackenzie, said, “[It’s] quite interesting considering what is happening in the political sphere-not good for his political career.”
Mackenzie added: “It’s what he deserves after he put us through hell during Covid times.”
Another East Londoner, Sam, said: “It is evident that these people find their personas are more important than dealing with the true politics of this country”.
A passerby, who did not want to be named said, “I hope he does not get caught in the waterfall showers kissing someone.” She was referring back to the former health boss being caught kissing his secretary during the Covid lockdown. She added, “I just think this shows how much of a joke politicians are.”
The former health secretary defended his choice to join the reality TV show during an interview with The Sun. He told the tabloid: “Many will know me for being the Health Secretary during the pandemic, what many won’t know is that I am dyslexic”.
Hancock sees this as an opportunity to campaign for better identification and support for dyslexic children. He plans to donate part of his £350,000 earnings from the show to St Nicholas Hospice, based in his Suffolk constituency, which provides support to families and people living with the condition.
He joins a growing list of MPs who have appeared on the show including, Nadine Dorries, Edwina Currie, and Lembit Opik.
Many politicians have criticised Hancock’s decision to join the show. Andy Drummond, deputy chair of his local Conservative association said: “I am looking forward to him eating kangaroo penis.”
I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here starts Sunday 6th of November at 9 pm on ITV.
