Matt Hancock joins I’m a Celebrity lineup to Rishi Sunak’s disapproval

Former health secretary has been suspended as a Conservative MP after joining ITV show

Matt Hancock has joined the cast of the 2022 series of I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

The MP, who resigned as health secretary last year after violating his own Covid regulations by having an affair with aide Gina Coladangelo, is said to be entering the jungle as a bombshell contestant on the ITV show alongside comedian Seann Walsh.

The will be joining the cast of 10 contestants already confirmed by ITV, including Boy George and Mike Tindall.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s official spokesperson said: “The PM believes that at a challenging time for the country, MPs should be working hard for their constituents in the House or in their constituencies.

“The public when they elect their MPs, expect them to work hard for their constituency.”

They said it was “unlikely” that Sunak would be watching I’m a Celebrity to see how Hancock gets on.

Chief Whip Simon Hart MP said: “Following a conversation with Matt Hancock, I have considered the situation and believe this is a matter serious enough to warrant suspension of the whip with immediate effect.”

A TV insider told The Sun: “Matt is a sensational signing for the show as producers love a star with a story to tell – and they always hope they’ll spill the beans round the campfire.

“He’s the latest in a long line of figures from the political sphere, including MP Nadine Dorries, Stanley Johnson and MP Lembit Opik.”

They added: “There’s been a question mark over who the 12th campmate would be, partly because negotiations over Matt going in were so top secret. It seems Matt was a last-minute signing.”

Dorries on ‘I'm a Celebrity’ in 2012 (ITV)

The Independent has contacted ITV and representatives of Hancock for comment.

Most of the cast for the 2022 edition of show have now been announced, including DJ Chris Moyles, England footballer Jill Scott and Loose Women star Charlene White.

This year, the celebrities will be sent to the Australian jungle for the first time since 2019. For the past two years, the ITV show has taken place in Wales due to Covid regulations.

I’m a Celebrity starts on Sunday 6 November at 9pm on ITV.

Find everything you need to know about the new series here, and the official cast photos here.