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Matt Hancock admitted he’s ‘looking for a bit of forgiveness’ as he received a grilling from his fellow castmates about his controversies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Friday’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here.
The former health secretary, 44, struggled to contain his emotions as he apologised to camp for having an affair with Gina Coladangelo, which saw him break his own guidance, lose his job and cause the collapse of his 15-year marriage to wife Martha.
Loose Women‘s Charlene White, 42, had told the politician her aunt died from the virus and that she hadn’t been able to visit her in hospital due to the rules he had set in place – before disregarding them himself.
Honest: Matt Hancock admitted he’s ‘looking for a bit of forgiveness’ as he received a grilling from his fellow castmates about his controversies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Friday’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here
It all began when Chris Moyles asked Matt: ‘What’s the plan, come out of here, write a book?’
Matt said: ‘I’ve just finished a book – Pandemic Diaries. Does what it says on the tin.’
Chris asked: ‘How warts and all is it?’ Matt replied: ‘Totally. Tells the story straight. Needs telling. Also, there’s going to be an inquiry. That will tell the story straight as well.’
Jill Scott said: ‘Tucker trials practise for your big trial?’ Chris laughed: ‘Jill Scott – grilled by a Lioness.’ He then asked Matt: ‘You got a lockdown fine, didn’t you?’
Emotional: The former health secretary, 44, struggled to contain his emotions as he apologised to camp for having an affair with Gina Coladangel
Matt said: ‘No, of course I didn’t. No, I did not. I didn’t break any…’
Charlene said: ‘You were socialising with someone outside of your household.’ Matt said: ‘I didn’t break any laws. Guidance is different.’
Scarlette Douglas continued: ‘So there’s a rule and there’s a law.’ Matt said: ‘Guidance is guidance. But the problem was it was my guidance. That’s why…’
Scarlette said: ‘Why did you break your own guidance?’ Matt replied: ‘Because it was a mistake, because I fell in love with somebody.’
Matt, in the Bush Telegraph, said: ‘In a way, lots of the campmates asked questions that the public have got as well and it’s only respectful to just give completely straight and truthful answers.’
Matt said: ‘In a way, lots of the campmates asked questions that the public have got as well and it’s only respectful to just give completely straight and truthful answers’
Scarlette continued: ‘But you did it anyway?’ Matt said: ‘That’s why I apologised for it. I feel very… It’s that kind of, you just do it and then afterwards it’s like, “Oh I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
Matt said: ‘No, because it’s bigger than that.’
Charlene added: ‘It’s massively bigger than that. My aunt died from Covid in the first wave. So, we couldn’t go to the hospital to go and visit her. I had to sit by myself in the church at her funeral.
‘We couldn’t hug each other because we were following guidance. And I get that you fell in love, I understand all of those things, but sorry for a lot of families like mine doesn’t really cut it.’
Matt said: ‘Yeah. Well, there you go. That’s one of the reasons that I regret it as much as I do.’
Tough words: Loose Women’s Charlene White, 42, had told the politician her aunt died from the virus and that she hadn’t been able to visit her in hospital due to the rules he had set in place – before disregarding them himself
Charlene asked: ‘Do you have regret regarding the way that as Health Minister you dealt with the pandemic as a whole?’
Matt said: ‘So the pandemic as a whole no, I’m much, much more robust in my defence of it.’
Charlene asked: ‘Even when PPE, with carers and with old people’s homes…?’
Matt said: ‘So PPE for instance, I know, of course I saw what happened to it, but that’s because we suddenly needed masses more PPE and so did everybody else in the world. And care homes… There were reasons for the decisions that were taken and ultimately those problems were caused by the virus, not the people who were trying to solve the problem.’
Charlene, in the Bush Telegraph, reflected: ‘It was a lot but you tend to get the best out of people when their guards are down and they feel safe.’
Chris said: ‘We were liking you on the telly on the daily briefings.’ Matt replied: ‘Thanks.’
Charlene said: ‘You were socialising with someone outside of your household.’ Matt said: ‘I didn’t break any laws. Guidance is different’
Chris said: ‘You were articulate and human. And I think that’s why a lot of people felt let down a bit. I’m like, ahh… you b***end, why couldn’t you have just been like [Matt: ‘Just got to the end.’]. Yeah… but look, tomorrow is another day.’
Sue added: ‘I think we’ve covered everything, we should stop. What I do appreciate is that you did eat a sheep’s vagina for us. And life isn’t black and white and we are all fallible and we all f*** up.’
Sue, in the Bush Telegraph, added: ‘It was the elephant in the room, wasn’t it? I was glad that he said it and a line should be drawn beneath it and the elephant has departed.’
Matt said to Charlene: ‘Do you know what it is actually, what I’m really looking for is a bit of forgiveness, that’s what I’m really looking for.’
Sue said: ‘Well done, that’s great. Just say that.’ Scarlette said: ‘I nearly cried then.’ Matt replied: ‘So did I.’
Chris, in Bush Telegraph, said: ‘Honestly, the way I feel now is he’s pulled the mask slightly off his chin a little bit but I still think he’s not telling us the full truth.’
Matt said: ‘We all make mistakes. I made a pretty big one.’ Charlene hugged him. Sue said: ‘The humanness has come out now.’
Charlene added in the Bush Telegraph: ‘Well, you could have blown me down with a feather, that was not what I was expecting at all. It is a very human reaction when you can see that someone is getting upset to give them a hug.’
Matt said to Charlene: ‘Do you know what it is actually, what I’m really looking for is a bit of forgiveness, that’s what I’m really looking for’
Sue added: ‘That took balls Matt to say that’ and hugged him. Matt in the Bush Telegraph said: ‘I wasn’t really expecting it, but it did get very emotional.’
Afterwards, Chris said to Scarlette: ‘It was the last thing he said, “I think I’m here for forgiveness.” Then, I wanted to go, “Forgiveness for what Matt? What are you sorry for? Are you sorry for being caught? Are you sorry for having an affair? Are you sorry for making bad decisions? Are you sorry for lying? What? What?”
‘If you’re going to be real, be real. I’m trying to be as real as I can and when I think he’s not being real it’s bugging me and I don’t know why. We’ve all made mistakes and you put your hands up and you’re honest. If you’re at that point where you genuinely feel that bad, you go, I’m sorry and you take it, I’m sorry.’
Chris continued: ‘He’s trying to portray that he’s being totally honest and it’s eating away at me.’
Scarlette said: ‘We have to just take him at face value in here. Outside of here, probably not going to be friends with you, but in here we’ll work together as a team.’
Chris added: ‘It’s a real struggle.’
Matt previously admitted he had ‘blown up every part of my life’ after he was caught on CCTV cheating on his wife with married aide and millionaire lobbyist Gina against the door of his Whitehall office in June last year.
He lost his job when it emerged they were seeing each other despite her being his aide and them breaking social distancing rules that he had created.
Scandal: Matt previously admitted he had ‘blown up every part of my life’ after he was caught on CCTV cheating on his wife
It comes after Matt defended his decision to appear on the reality show, writing in The Sun that it’s his job as a politician ‘to go where the people are’ and that he wants to ‘engage with voters’.
He said: ‘While there will undoubtedly be those who think I shouldn’t go, I think it’s a great opportunity to talk directly to people who aren’t always interested in politics, even if they care very much about how our country’s run.
‘It’s our job as politicians to go to where the people are – not to sit in ivory towers in Westminster.
‘There are many ways to do the job of being an MP. Whether I’m in camp for one day or three weeks, there are very few places people will be able to see a politician as they really are.
‘So, the truth is, I haven’t lost my marbles or had one too many pina coladas. It’s something I’ve given a lot of thought to.
‘I was elected by the people, and it’s important to engage with voters, especially younger voters, no matter where they are, and show the human side of politicians.
‘I want to raise the profile of my dyslexia campaign to help every dyslexic child unleash their potential – even if it means taking an unusual route to get there… via the Australian jungle! I’m A Celebrity… is watched by millions of Brits up and down the country.
‘I want to use this incredible platform to raise awareness, so no child leaves primary school not knowing if they have dyslexia.’
It comes after friends of Matt’s estranged wife Martha revealed their shock at his decision to star on I’m A Celebrity – a move that got him kicked out of the parliamentary Tory party.
One friend of Martha’s was searing in their condemnation of the father of three today, branding him a ‘total halfwit who’s making some unwise career moves’.
Meanwhile, one former minister predicted Mr Hancock would be selected for a bushtucker trial ‘every day’. Referring to the notorious challenge for contestants to eat kangaroo testicles, the Tory told MailOnline: ‘I have sympathy for the poor kangaroo.’
The politician added: ‘Is Matt Hancock technically a celebrity? I think he’s probably in a slightly lower league than Mike Tindall. If he’s eliminated in the first round he’ll be appalled. He’s going to be the hate figure, every single day he will be doing a challenge.’
The news drew a rapid rebuke from Number 10, with Rishi Sunak’s spokesman saying the Prime Minister believes MPs should be ‘working hard for their constituents’ at a ‘challenging time for the country’. Mr Sunak is ‘unlikely’ to watch Mr Hancock in action, the spokesman added.
Chief Whip Simon Hart announced he had removed the whip from Mr Hancock – the same fate that befell fellow Tory MP Nadine Dorries when she went on the ITV show in 2012.
‘Following a conversation with Matt Hancock, I have considered the situation and believe this is a matter serious enough to warrant suspension of the whip with immediate effect,’ he said.
PR expert Mark Borkowski estimated Mr Hancock could have been paid a £350,000 appearance fee.
He told MailOnline: ‘They paid Noel Edmonds £500,000 and that was a top booking – either Hancock is desperate for the visibility or the money… if it’s the money I’d expect £350,000 – he should be very careful what he wishes for.’
Oh dear: Mr Hancock – pictured with Ms Coladangelo – remains MP for West Suffolk but serves as an independent. While he was able to keep his party membership, he will not be able to stand for election as a Conservative candidate
Mr Hancock will stay as MP for West Suffolk but serve as an independent. While he will be able to keep his party membership, he will not be able to stand for election as a Conservative party candidate, vote in party contests or stand for committee chairman posts.
A source close to the MP said he would donate some of the appearance fee to St Nicholas Hospice in Suffolk, but would not say how much.
Today, a political ally said he had accepted he was unlikely to become a minister again and wanted to connect with ‘younger generations’.
‘Politicians like Matt must go to where the people are – particularly those who are politically disengaged,’ they said.
‘Matt’s of the view that we must embrace popular culture. Rather than looking down on reality TV, we should see it for what it is – a powerful tool to get our message heard by younger generations.’
Mr Hancock first turned down the opportunity to appear on the show because of ‘instability’ the government was facing at the time, according to the source.
Hilarious: One friend of Mr Hancock’s estranged wife Martha (who he’s pictured with) was searing in their condemnation of the father of three today, branding him a ‘total halfwit who’s making some unwise career moves’
However, he now believes the administration is ‘stable’ and views his stint on the show as an ‘amazing opportunity’ to talk about issues he really cares about, they claimed.
‘When he was first approached to take part – while he was flattered and naturally curious – it didn’t take him too long to turn the opportunity down because of the instability Government was facing at the time,’ the ally said.
‘Now, though, the Government is stable. Rishi Sunak has made a great start and the whole of the Conservative Party is united behind him.
‘Rishi has a big majority, so he can get his agenda through Parliament. Matt’s talked to the whips, in the same way any MP would when going on a foreign visit, which happens all the time.
‘As I say, Matt doesn’t expect to serve in Government again, but he can support Rishi and the Government in different ways.
‘This is an amazing opportunity to engage with the public and talk about issues he really cares about – including his dyslexia campaign.’
The ally said producers of the show have agreed Mr Hancock can communicate with them if there is an urgent constituency matter. But former Tory MP Ann Widdecombe told Sky News it was wrong for a serving MP to be away ‘for weeks on end’ and asked what would happen ‘if there’s an emergency’.
Andy Drummond, deputy chairman of West Suffolk Conservative Association, said he was looking forward to seeing Mr Hancock ‘eating a kangaroo’s penis’ on the show – a reference to the notorious bushtucker trials in which contestants compete in a series of gruesome challenges to win stars. ‘Quote me, you can quote me on that,’ he added.
Who takes part in each trial goes down to a public poll, and today bookmaker Ladbrokes suggested voters’ desire for ‘payback’ had seen Mr Hancock become odds-on favourite to set a new record for the most bushtucker trials ever carried out by an I’m A Celeb contestant. It is unclear whether Mr Hancock has already arrived in Australia.
Today’s news drew mockery from political rivals, with SNP MP Pete Wishart tweeting: ‘It speaks volumes that @MattHancock would rather be stranded in a remote jungle eating kangaroo testicles than spend a moment longer on the Tory benches at Westminster, as @RishiSunak’s government lurches from one crisis to another.’
Shadow health minister Andrew Gwynne added: ‘To be fair to Matt Hancock, I’d sooner eat wallaby anus than be a Tory MP too.’
After playing a central role in coordinating the government’s response to Covid, Mr Hancock’s political career has flagged of late.
He was not awarded a post in Rishi Sunak’s new government, and the new Prime Minister appeared to snub his attempt to offer a handshake outside Tory HQ last week.
He had also reportedly been considering a run to be chairman of the Commons Treasury committee, but pulled out of the race on Monday.
Andrew Smith, a Conservative councillor on West Suffolk Council, said he could see why Mr Hancock might want to appear on I’m A Celeb ‘given what’s happened to him and his personal life and his career’.
‘I can see why he might want to do it, given what’s happened to him and his personal life and his career,’ said Mr Smith, who represents Bardwell ward.
He continued: ‘If I was him I wouldn’t have done it, to be perfectly truthful, but I’m not him.
‘It’s not a show I would watch or indeed I would personally do – I don’t like eating things that I don’t know where they’ve come from, if you get my drift.’
Fellow West Suffolk councillor Carol Bull said she hopes Mr Hancock had made the ‘right decision’.
‘He’s made the decision, presumably he’s thought about it carefully and hopefully it will be, for him, the right decision,’ said Ms Bull, who represents Barningham ward.
She continued: ‘At the end of the day, it depends how he does and how he’s perceived. There will be some who think it’s really good and others who don’t.’
But councillor Ian Houlder was less sympathetic, saying Mr Hancock ‘has no shame’. ‘It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he goes back on bended knee to whoever’s in charge of the Conservative Party after his book comes out or whatever in the winter,’ he said.
‘And say, ‘I’ve made a terrible mistake, terribly sorry, can you let me back in, we’re going to need every seat we can get, I’ll do my best,’ all that sort of thing. Because he’s thick-skinned, he’s got no shame at all.’
Mr Houlder, who represents Barrow ward, continued: ‘Everybody knows what he did during the Covid pandemic and he seems to want to rehabilitate himself all the time in the public eye. He’s got a skin as thick as a rhinoceros, quite frankly.’
Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman Sarah Olney said: ‘Yet again we see a Conservative MP taking voters for granted. At a time when MPs should be supporting their constituents with the cost-of-living crisis, Matt Hancock is choosing instead to go to the jungle to feed his own ego.
‘Matt Hancock should declare how much he is earning from appearing on the show and forego his MP’s salary for the duration. The taxpayer should not pay him while he refuses to do his job.’
Mr Hancock was criticised by the TaxPayers’ Alliance, with its spokesman Joe Ventre saying: ‘Matt Hancock’s plans to wriggle out of his responsibilities are shameful.
‘This grubby spectacle will leave a bad taste in the mouths of his constituents, who will have no one representing them for the fortnight he is off pursuing his TV career.
‘Hancock shouldn’t be entitled to a penny of taxpayers’ money in salary or expenses while he’s living it large in the jungle.’
An insider told The Sun: ‘Matt is a sensational signing for the show as producers love a star with a story to tell – and they always hope they’ll spill the beans round the campfire.
‘He’s the latest in a long line of figures from the political sphere, including MP Nadine Dorries, Stanley Johnson and MP Lembit Opik. There’s been a question mark over who the twelfth campmate would be, partly because negotiations over Matt going in were so top secret. It seems Matt was a last-minute signing.’
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