Matt Hancock says thank you for votes after coming third in I'm A Celebrity

Watch: Matt Hancock shares thank you message on social media

Matt Hancock has said a "massive thank you" to everyone who voted for him on I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! 2022.

The former health secretary finished third in the ITV reality show as footballer Jill Scott was crowned Queen of the Jungle and Hollyoaks star Owen Warner was the runner-up.

Hancock, 44, has shared his first post on social media since leaving the camp, saying in a video: "I've just come out the jungle and I wanted to say a massive thank you to everybody who voted for me. I'm honoured, I'm incredibly grateful for every single vote.

Read more: I'm A Celebrity crowns Jill Scott as 2022 jungle champion

"And I'm thrilled that Jill's won. She's so wonderful and I'm so glad that the nation's been able to see it. But the number one thing is a massive thank you to everybody who voted for me."

The politician has been pictured celebrating with his girlfriend, former government advisor Gina Colangelo.

Hancock was forced to resign from cabinet after his affair with Colangelo during the coronavirus pandemic was exposed.

The MP for West Suffolk defeated rugby player Mike Tindall to make it to the final three on the show after receiving more votes from viewers wanting him to win.

But the reaction on social media is mixed - with some very angry that the former health secretary did so well on the show.

One tweeted: "So Hancock finished third. Surprising as I was expecting him to be one of the first out, not the last. I think it's weird that people voted to keep him in. #ImACelebrity."

Another said: "He shouldn’t have been in there at all."

And another wrote: "So you approve a serving MP absconds from his job while being pairs by tax payers Absolute disgrace but considering the Conservative Party has no morals I am not surprised Matt Hancock is a disgrace - not apologetic about his handling of the pandemic - insensitive and cold."

While others felt he had performed well on the show and deserved to come third.

One commented on Instagram: "I never thought in a million years thought I would ever say that I was hoping for Matt Hancock to be crowned king of the jungle! Fair play you smashed it and seem like a genuinely nice guy."

Another said: "Your our winners matt you deserve that crown after bringing all that food to the table."

And a third posted: "Well done Matt, I voted for you cause over time you won me around that you are only human and of course people make mistakes."

The father-of-three is still an elected MP for West Suffolk, meaning he is being paid an annual salary to serve his constituents.

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

He said his constituents are "still my first priority" and revealed he has agreed with producers that he can be reached at any point during filming if any "urgent constituency matter" arises.

Hancock has vowed to declare his I'm A Celebrity salary to Parliament and donate it to St Nicholas Hospice in Suffolk and causes supporting dyslexia.

As a result of his signing up to the show his parliamentary whip has been suspended, meaning he is not a member of the Conservative Party.

Read more: I'm a Celebrity: Peter Andre shares his verdict on the finalists (exclusive)

Parliamentary watchdog the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) has ruled his participation in I'm A Celebrity is a breach of the government's business appointment rules. But they have advised that no further action be taken.

Watch: Matt Hancock finishes third in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!