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Matt Hancock addresses I'm a Celebrity controversy and boasts about votes

Matt Hancock came third during the series finale on Sunday, claiming 21.7 per cent of the initial public vote - James Gourley/ITV/Shutterstock
Matt Hancock came third during the series finale on Sunday, claiming 21.7 per cent of the initial public vote - James Gourley/ITV/Shutterstock

Matt Hancock has said he knew joining I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! would be "controversial" but that ultimately "millions of people" voted for him.

The former health secretary, 44, whose stint in the Australian jungle prompted criticism from the Prime Minister and MPs across the political spectrum, came third during the series finale on Sunday, claiming 21.7 per cent of the initial public vote.

This placed him behind Jill Scott, the former England footballer who finished in first place, and Owen Warner, the runner-up Hollyoaks actor.

During the post-series Coming Out Show on Thursday, he will be seen exiting the campsite to be reunited with his partner Gina Coladangelo and attending a wrap party.

Hancock resigned as health secretary in June last year after he was caught breaking coronavirus social distancing rules by having an affair with Coladangelo, then his aide, in his ministerial office.

Driving to the production site, he is seen asking her: "Of course I'm curious to how it's gone, was I authentically me?"

Coladangelo replies: "It took a few days I felt for you to relax."

Mr Hancock's stint in the Australian jungle prompted criticism from the Prime Minister and MPs across the political spectrum - Tayfun Salci
Mr Hancock's stint in the Australian jungle prompted criticism from the Prime Minister and MPs across the political spectrum - Tayfun Salci

Hancock adds: "When I was being grilled in the early days, I felt like people were asking me on behalf of the British public.

"I knew going in it would be controversial but I also know millions of people have voted for me."

Hancock also breaks into an Ed Sheeran song, much to her embarrassment.

The episode also sees Coladangelo saying: "I think it's fair to say that Matt underestimated the scale of the reaction to him coming into the jungle.

"He's made of tough stuff, this summer we trekked around Mont Blanc together in four days.

"My last words to him were just be yourself, be the Matt I know and it'll go really well."

After being reunited with friends and family at a hotel outside camp, Coladangelo introduces herself to Boy George, who had a fractious relationship with Hancock on the show.

The Culture Club frontman tells her: "It's all cool love, we got on in the end."

The special episode will also show the moments after each contestant was eliminated from camp and reunited with friends and family.

Charlene White, the ITV broadcaster who was the first to depart the show, is seen being greeted by her sister Carina and calling their father who tells them he thought Hancock would be the first person voted out by the public.

White replies: "It turns out I'm less popular than Matt Hancock, dad. Who knew?"

Mike Tindall, the former England rugby player, was embraced by his wife Zara, the Queen's granddaughter, upon his exit.

Mike Tindall, who also appeared on this season of I'm a Celebrity, and his wife Zara Phillips - Karwai Tang
Mike Tindall, who also appeared on this season of I'm a Celebrity, and his wife Zara Phillips - Karwai Tang

"It's been a long few weeks, the kids have missed him so it'll be nice to get him out," she says.

On the car journey to the hotel, Tindall refers to Sue Cleaver, the soap actress, as he says: "I'm sorry I had a camp wife in there but she was brilliant" to which Zara jokingly responds, "Cheating on me."

They are greeted by radio DJ Chris Moyles carrying a bucket of beers who tells Zara, "I looked after him for you in there" with her replying, "Did you enjoy his spooning and his hugs?"

Asked how he feels to be back with his wife, Tindall says: "It's just too much, let's never do this again."

Hancock received £45,000 for Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins

Reflecting on her win, Scott says: "The aim was never to be Queen of the jungle, just to complete the journey.

"I still can't believe it, it's going to take a while for it to sink in."

It comes as it has emerged that Mr Hancock was paid £45,000 to appear on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.

He declared the payment in an update to the MPs' Register of Interests published on Wednesday.

The entry also revealed he spent 80 hours filming the programme while Parliament was in recess between September 24 and October 8, shortly before heading to Australia to appear in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

Mr Hancock is yet to declare the amount he was paid to appear on I'm A Celebrity, which finished on Sunday, but reports have suggested his fee for the show was significantly higher.

The Coming Out Show airs on Thursday at 9.15pm on ITV and ITV Hub.