Conservative MP Matt Hancock and Strictly star Seann Walsh will be on the nation’s screens from Wednesday night as they head into the I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! camp.
Despite Matt Hancock’s decision to join the reality show as a wildcard being met with huge controversy, the MP will join comedian Seann to enter the jungle imminently.
Presenters Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly are due to confirm the news at the end of Tuesday night’s episode.
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ITV bosses initially revealed Hancock would have “special permission” to communicate with his constituency, but this has since been revoked, meaning the MP be away from his West Suffolk constituents for up to three weeks.
His decision to go onto the show whilst receiving his MP’s salary has been widely criticised with even Prime Minister Rishi Sunak weighing in.
(Image: Tim Merry/Mirrorpix)
Sunak said: “I think politics is a noble profession, at its best – it can and should be – but it’s incumbent on politicians to earn people’s respect and trust.
“They do that by working hard for their constituents, as the vast majority of MPs do – that is why I was very disappointed with Matt’s decision.” When asked if he will be watching the show, Mr Sunak said: “I genuinely won’t have the time’’ is the honest answer.”
(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
A TV source said there was genuine excitement on set about Hancock’s arrival on the show and what could happen next. It is likely he and Walsh will be set some kind of trial which will be filmed before they enter the main camp.
The insider said: “Matt Hancock and Seann Walsh are heading into the jungle in the coming hours and there is huge anticipation, particularly for Hancock’s arrival.
“The show is doing brilliantly in the ratings already but his introduction will only increase the levels of interest. And how the other contestants react to Hancock will be fascinating. Whatever you think of his decision to go on the show, it will be must watch TV.”
ITV publicly insist the pair are not being rushed into camp or onto the show, but late entries often go into the series at the end of the first week.
(Image: ITV)
The Mirror revealed last night former health secretary Hancock was expected to be sent onto the show and on screen as early as Wednesday after Love Island star Olivia Attwood was forced to quit the show following some health tests.
Both Hancock and Walsh had also been expected to complete some media and promo work in Australia but this was cancelled “due to the schedule changing”. Instead of doing the work today they were instead preparing for their grand entrances.
Walsh, 36, is a critically acclaimed stand up comedian but is best known to the public for his appearance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018.
He danced alongside Katya Jones and whilst they both had partners were then photographed snogging on a night out. It led to front page headlines about the curse of Strictly and Walsh split from his partner Rebecca Humphries. He has even done stand up shows about the fallout and his status as a villain.
(Image: BBC)
Hancock, the former Health Secretary, had claimed when he announced he was doing the show that he would be able to work even whilst in camp and could speak to constituents every day from the Bush Telegraph. But this was shown up as being untrue.
In a written piece last week, Hancock himself said: “As an MP, my first priority is to my constituents. I have agreed with the show’s producers that I can be reached at any point on any urgent constituency matters.”
But the show works on the premise the camp is isolated from the real world as part of the format.
(Image: ITV)
Executive producer Olly Nash said that was “absolutely” the case this year too.
And an ITV spokesman responded to a Mirror inquiry last week by saying: “You are correct to say that celebs cannot speak to the outside world at all unless there are exceptional circumstances ie. an emergency.”
Since news broke that he has signed up to go into the jungle, he has been suspended from the Conservative party and there has been a public outcry.
(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
The camp is sure to be shocked at the arrival of Hancock and Walsh. It is still reeling from the news that Olivia Attwood was forced to quit less than 24 hours after she made it into the main camp. Viewers will see them go into camp and the celebrities’ reactions in tomorrow night’s show.
A spokesman for Hancock has defended his decision to go on the show. They said: “The second reading of Matt’s Dyslexia Screening and Teacher Training Bill is just days after I’m A Celeb finishes. This is an amazing opportunity for Matt to raise the profile of his dyslexia campaign and to talk about an issue he really cares about in front of millions of people.
(Image: Tim Merry/Mirrorpix)
“Matt will be making a donation to St Nicholas Hospice in Suffolk, and causes supporting dyslexia, off the back of his appearance. He will, of course, declare the amount he receives from the show to Parliament to ensure complete transparency, as normal.”
I’m A Celebrity continues on ITV tonight at 9.15pm.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
