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Matt Hancock set to cash in £400k for I’m A Celebrity stint after career U-turn

Politician Matt Hancock is set to take home an eye-watering check after he signed up for I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! 2022.

Last week, the former Health Secretary surprised the nation after he was confirmed to be one of the newest additions to the star-studded cast set to join the hugely popular ITV reality show this weekend.

According the insiders, the MP will take home an eye-watering cheque for appearing on the series which is set to return to its home base in Australia for the first time in two years.

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And it seems as though he’s one of the higher paid contestants on the show, bagging a staggering total of around £400k for joining the cast.

Matt Hancock set to pocket £400k after joining I’m A Celebrity line-up
(Image: Tim Merry/Mirrorpix)

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For comparison, Noel Edmonds is thought to be the highest-paid star to go on I’m A Celeb after reportedly bagging £600,000 back in 2018.

Caitlyn Jenner – who appeared on the show in 2019 – and Harry Redknapp – who joined the cast in 2018 – are both said to have pocketed a huge fee of £500,000, so Mr Hancock is in good company.

It is understood he will enter the camp alongside comedian and former Strictly Come Dancing star Seann Walsh one week after the rest of the contestants set up shop in the main camp.

Former King of the Jungle Harry Redknapp allegedly took home £500k
(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Speaking to The Sun, the source explained: “Matt’s pay deal with I’m A Celebrity is around £400,000 which is one of the largest ever show fees to have been paid out.

“ITV was keen for viewers to think the deal was worth around £150,000 but in reality, it’s over double that.

“They asked him to be on the show three times in a matter of weeks and the money definitely helped seal the deal.”

The MP will be donating a chunk of his earnings to charity
(Image: Getty Images)

It was previously reported that Mr Hancock will be donating a chunk of his earning to St Nicholas Care, a charity he raised almost £8,000 for a last year’s London Marathon.

“Matt will be making a donation to St Nicholas Hospice in Suffolk, and he will, of course, declare the amount he receives from the show to Parliament to ensure complete transparency, as normal,” an insider told Metro.co.uk.

The politician was previously pictured arriving at Brisbane Airport earlier this week as he threw a cheeky grin to the cameras as he walked through arrivals.

Former politician Lembit Opik took part on the show in 2012
(Image: ITV)

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Mr Hancock defended his decision for signing up for the series after a wave of backlash from the public and fellow politicians, saying reality TV is an honest way to communicate with voters.

He said: “It’s our job as politicians to go to where the people are – not to sit in ivory towers in Westminster.

“There are many ways to do the job of being an MP. Whether I’m in camp for one day or three weeks, there are very few places people will be able to see a politician as they really are.”

I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! launches on Sunday at 9pm on ITV.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk


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