Boris Johnson denies he is talks for I'm a Celebrity

Boris Johnson has denied rumours that he is in talks to participate in the next season of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here.

Following former health secretary Matt Hancock's appearance on the show last year, there were rumours that the ex-prime minister was set to join the next series, set to air later this year.

In a statement from Johnson's spokesperson provided to The Mirror, he denied being in discussions with ITV: “Boris is not doing this programme and is not in talks to do so."

Read more: Ant and Dec's best Boris Johnson takedowns on I'm A Celeb 2021

The Sun also claims that ITV is moving its attention to another political figure with their top targets rumoured to include former PM Liz Truss, ex-deputy PM Dominic Raab, and former chancellors Sajid Javid and Kwasi Kwarteng.

As prime minister in 2021, Boris Johnson was the butt of many jokes during Ant & Dec's links on that year's edition of the show in Wales.

When a new camp leader was named, Dec said: "Exciting stuff, but what exactly, though, does the leader do?"

Ant replied: "Well, they look increasingly dishevelled, give cushy jobs to their mates, and pretty much make it up as they go along."

After campmate Naughty Boy was voted for another Bushtucker trial, Ant quipped: "The British public insist on voting for a bumbling figure who puts on a spread for a select group of friends behind closed doors in a historic building.”

Dec added: "Evening, prime minister."

Johnson recently stepped down as an MP after resigning as PM last year after a series of scandals regarding his conduct in office such as holding parties during the COVID-19 pandemic and misleading parliament.

Johnson would also be following in the footsteps of his father Stanley who appeared on the show in 2017 and finished in seventh place.

According to The Mirror, Johnson was trying to secure a package greater than what was paid to Hancock last year.

The controversial politician — who is currently sitting as an independent — was paid £400,000 to appear on the reality show in what many thought was an attempt to rehabilitate his public image after accusations of mishandling the pandemic which saw over 200,000 people die to the disease.

Several other former politicians have participated in the Australia set show including former Labour MP and talk show host Robert Kilroy-Silk, previous Liberal Democrat leader Lembit Opik and current MP and Johnson ally Nadine Dorries.

Both Hancock and Dorries both had the Conservative whip removed for participating in the programme.

While no names have been confirmed for the next edition of I'm a Celebrity, This Morning host Josie Gibson and Coronation Street star Alan Halsall have been linked with taking part.

Watch below: Matt Hancock talked politics on I'm A Celebrity