I'm a Celebrity: Banner flown over camp demanding Matt Hancock's exit

Watch: Campaigners fly banner over I'm A Celebrity camp to show anger towards Matt Hancock

A banner has been flown over the I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here camp demanding the removal of Matt Hancock from the show.

The controversial former health secretary has been roundly criticised for his decision to appear in the jungle after he oversaw the UK's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hancock's appearance on the show led to the launch of a petition entitled "He's no celebrity - stop Matt Hancock appearing on I'm A Celebrity".

Read more: I'm A Celebrity: Matt Hancock not voted for latest trial as viewers grow bored of MP

The petition has since gained over 45,000 signatures and was enough to support a banner over where the show is filmed in Australia.

A 35-metre-long banner was flown over the camp reading the words "COVID Bereaved Say Get Out of Here".

A spokesperson for the petition said they hired the plane in the hopes that Hancock will "get the message".

They also said Hancock should be giving his campmates explanations for his work during the pandemic and subsequent resignation for breaking his own social distancing rules instead of "playing games for dingo dollars, plastic stars and a £400,000 paycheck".

When announcing that he was going to appear on the reality show, Hancock said he wished to raise awareness for dyslexia which he was diagnosed with at 18.

But the timing has been criticised as the currently suspended MP is releasing a book about his time as health secretary later this year.

Piers Morgan accused Hancock of "profiting obscenely from his own failure" after signing up for the jungle.

The broadcaster also told Hancock: "I’m actually glad you’re going to a remote, tarantula-infested jungle on the opposite side of the world."

While Hancock's appearance on the show has not proved popular with fans, the ratings are up significantly over the prior series which was set in Wales.