'I'm a Celebrity' fans react to Matt Hancock rumours

Matt Hancock has sparked outrage with reports that he has been signed up as a surprise contestant on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

The former Health Secretary, who was forced to resign from government after his affair with advisor Gina Coladangelo was exposed, is still an elected MP for West Suffolk, meaning he is being paid an annual salary to serve his constituents.

Hancock has not yet been officially announced as a campmate for the latest series of the jungle reality show but The Sun newspaper has reported he will enter the jungle as a surprise extra contestant along with comedian Seann Walsh.

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Hancock resigned as Health Secretary after leaked CCTV showed him in a passionate clinch with Coladangelo in his Whitehall office.

At the time he was still in a relationship with his wife Martha Hancock, who he married in 2006 and with whom he has three children.

The basic annual salary of a Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons is £84,144.

Viewers expressed their outrage on social media with one writing: "Matt Hancock should have waited until he lost his seat to do I'm a Celeb.... General Election is not far off! Gallavanting off to Australia whilst his Constituents face a cost of living crisis is a slap in the face!"

Another tweeted: "Will @MattHancock be a “serving” MP while he’s on #ImALoserGetMeOutOfHere ?"

Caroline Lucas, Green Party MP for Brighton and Hove observed: "Great to know that Matt Hancock has worked out a way to represent his constituents from the jungle... otherwise I'm assuming he'll be returning his MP's salary?"

Dr Hannah Barham-Brown of the Women's Equality Party tweeted: "This is hilarious on so many levels, but if I were his constituent, I would be FUMING. You’re not representing people if you’re in a camp in Australia, @MattHancock - by all means quit your job to do this, but don’t do both.

And satirical political candidate Count Binface challenged: "If Matt Hancock would rather go on I'm A Celebrity than serve his constituents while being paid lots of money to be an MP, he should face an immediate by-election. Against me."

Piers Morgan tweeted: "I never thought I’d feel sorry for kangaroo testicles, but I do now. #hancock"

The reality show famously puts contestants through gruelling challenges of eating unpleasant things such as kangaroo testicles or being locked in confined spaces with insects and reptiles in order to earn food for the camp.

Hancock is publishing a book in December entitled the Pandemic Diaries: The Inside Story of Britain's Battle Against COVID. Proceeds from sales will be donated to NHS charities and causes supporting dyslexia.

While he was serving as the country's Health Secretary during the coronavirus pandemic and advising people to adhere to social distancing and avoid visiting loved ones, Hancock was conducting an affair with government advisor Coladangelo.

If The Sun's report is accurate he will enter the ITV jungle reality show camp alongside stand-up comedian Walsh, best known for being pictured kissing his married professional dance partner Katya Jones while he was competing in Strictly Come Dancing in 2018.

The show returns to the Australian jungle this year, after two series filming at a castle in North Wales due to restrictions around travel caused by the pandemic.

Among the other stars taking part this year are singer Boy George, former England rugby player and minor Royal Mike Tindall, who is married to the late Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips.

Read more: I'm A Celebrity 2022: All the confirmed contestants so far

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! 2022 begins on Sunday 6 November and viewers can already vote for which celebrities they think should start out as Jungle VIPs by downloading the official app.

Watch: Matt Hancock's whip suspended amid I'm A Celebrity rumours