I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! viewers were left unimpressed after Matt Hancock was nominated to do his fifth consecutive Bushtucker Trial on Saturday.
The politician, 44 – who served as the UK’s Health Secretary during the COVID-19 pandemic – came out on top of the public vote for the next challenge, which will air on ITV on Sunday.
After the news was delivered by hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, Matt’s campmate Babatunde Aleshe declared: ‘You are the man, you are the man! You’ve done four trials, you got stung by a scorpion and now you’ve got to do this trial!’, but the television audience was not as impressed.
Miffed: I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! viewers were left unimpressed after Matt Hancock was nominated to do his fifth consecutive Bushtucker Trial on Saturday
Taking to Twitter to express their annoyance, one person wrote: ‘Why are people continuing to vote for Matt Hancock to do trials? He’s loving the attention. He should be in Britain doing the job he was elected to do. I’m A Celeb has now become the Matt Hancock show! Yuk!
‘#ImACeleb it is about time people left Matt Hancock alone he has done four trials and still he is being picked on give it a rest,’ wrote someone else.
Showing some sympathy, another I’m A Celebrity fan wrote: ‘Starting to feel sorry now for @MattHancock yeah he has made some huge mistakes, but give the trials to someone else now. Let them have the pressure! #ImACeleb.’
Trial: The politician, 44 – who served as the UK’s Health Secretary during the COVID-19 pandemic – came out on top of the public vote for the next challenge
Breaking the news: After the news was delivered by hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, Matt’s campmate Babatunde Aleshe declared: ‘You are the man, you are the man!’
While another person posted: ‘Ok, so like the rest of the nation I wanted to see Matt Hancock scream and do the trials BUT now we know he is doing ok STOP giving him the air time he wants! STOP voting for him now! And give him something he doesn’t want! Less air time!’
Someone else shared: ‘Funny how we moan about it but I bet half of you ain’t voting for someone different, I agree it’s boring watching him do every trial because ultimately he smashes them! It’s not the fault of I’m A Celeb, it’s us, if everyone moaning voted someone different we might see someone new.’
‘Seriously peeps this is getting boring now. Pick someone else to do the trials, let some of the moaners have a go and see how far they get,’ wrote another viewer.
Unimpressed: Many viewers of the show took to Twitter to express their annoyance at Matt doing another trial
Another person tweeted: ‘Put someone else in a trial getting boring now Matt will do great in all of them the rest are just sat doing nothing.’
While someone else wrote: ‘British Public – he will do any trial thrown at him as he wants redemption. Stop voting for him!’
‘This is getting boring now Matt Hancock is good at the trials. He isn’t entertainment! #imaceleb,’ posted another viewer.
Game: Earlier in the show, Matt teamed up with Hollyoaks star Owen Warner to compete in a version of ITV game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire titled Who Wants to Look Silly On Air?
While someone else wrote: ‘#ImACeleb getting a bit boring having Matt Hancock do all the trials. All these other celebs are getting a free ride. Make @ChrisMoyles do one!’
Earlier in the show, Matt had teamed up with Hollyoaks star Owen Warner to compete in a version of ITV game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire titled Who Wants to Look Silly On Air? – which saw them attempt to answer questions to win meals for camp while being pelted with odorous debris – but the two only managed to secure five stars, totalling five meals to be shared amongst the 11 celebrities.
Matt – who scored a total of 11 stars during Friday’s gruesome eating trial – commented: ‘Everyone has been really nice about it but nevertheless, five stars. There’s room for improvement.’
Unable to contain himself: Matt scored a total of 11 stars during Friday’s gruesome eating trial, winning the maximum amount of meals for camp
Following the trial, Owen said: ‘All I know is we stink and we looked ridiculous. We smell so bad! I don’t wanna talk about how many stars we got, we only got five. I feel very deflated. I’m not the smartest geezer about which is why I feel like I got put to do that. I feel a bit bad that I’ve let the campmates down a bit.’
Loose Women anchor Charlene White – who joined the other campmates including the likes of Boy George, Coronation Street actress Sue Cleaver and radio star Chris Moyles on the sidelines of the trial – was seen moaning in The Bush Telegraph following the poor result.
She said: ‘We didn’t do too well with the stars, did we? We only got five. That’s less than half!’
Unimpressed: Matt was joined by singer Boy George, 61, for the trial, with George struggling to keep his dishes down due to the awful taste
The famous faces received wild boar rump for their dinner and ITV newsreader Charlene – who has become the usual camp chef – gave the responsibility of cooking to Owen because he had earned the meat in the first place.
He said: ‘To be honest, I’m struggling to picture what a boar looks like. I know it’s like a sort of cow, isn’t it? I diced, I sliced, I stirred, I fried. I was head chef tonight, boy!’
Elsewhere, Ant and Dec closed out the show by revealing that in tomorrow’s episode, two stars will battle it out to become leader of the camp and viewers had until 10:30pm on Saturday to cast their votes on who the pair would be.
Dec said: ‘We need your votes again because it’s time for you to choose a camp leader. The two celebrities with the most votes will go head-to-head in a challenge and the winner will take the throne!’
Infamous trial: The former Health Secretary was voted to take on the La Cucaracha Café challenge alongside Boy George
In addition to Who Wants to Look Silly On Air? and Friday’s eating trial, Matt took part in the Tentacles of Terror which saw him hold his breath underwater as he stuck his hand into different cages containing creatures in a bid to find stars to exchange for meals.
He also automatically took part in a trial as a camp mole alongside Seann Walsh as the pair were late entries, having to trick their fellow residents into various situations to win prizes.
Matt was seen dry heaving as he tucked into camel penis, sheep vagina and cow’s anus during the infamous, gruesome eating trial on Friday night’s episode.
The MY was voted to take on the La Cucaracha Café challenge alongside Boy George, 61, who threatened to quit the show this week after the politician arrived in camp.
Matt’s first dish was Fish Eye Tacos, with the government employee being tasked with eating one, which contained three raw fish eyes.
He looked shocked as he chewed the fish eye which popped as he bit down on it in his mouth.
Second thoughts? Matt looked unimpressed as dish after dish of foul tasting food was delivered to him
However, he swallowed it straight down with a loud gulp, calmly describing it as ‘very fishy’.
Matt also ate a Witchetty grub, which he described as ‘absolutely disgusting’, complaining that the texture was ‘awful’.
He was then handed cow’s anus, which prompted George to giggle from behind his hands.
The politician said: ‘I’ll just have to pretend it’s some funny kind of steak,’ adding: ‘I don’t recommend it as a main course!’
For their final dish, Matt was handed cockroaches on a stick along with a blended cockroach dip, while George was given Deep Sea Salsa, which was fermented seaweed.
Eating them all in one, Matt was seen heaving before swallowing all the cockroaches down.
George’s eyes were seen watering as he attempted to eat hi seaweed, before he declared: ‘Did it!’
The pair won 11 stars for camp, with George saying: ‘I wanted to do a food trial but it was a lot worse than I thought.’
Matt later said he was looking for ‘forgiveness’ with his appearance on I’m A Celebrity.
He struggled to contain his emotions as he apologised to camp for having an affair with Gina Coladangelo, which saw him break his own guidance, lose his job and cause the collapse of his 15-year marriage to wife Martha.
Charlene had told the politician her aunt died from the virus and that she hadn’t been able to visit her in hospital due to the rules he had set in place – before disregarding them himself.
Ready for anything? MP for West Suffolk Matt said before heading into the challenge area: ‘I’m so glad to be doing it with someone else. It just lowers the pressure a bit’
Chris Moyles asked Matt: ‘What’s the plan, come out of here, write a book?’
Matt said: ‘I’ve just finished a book – Pandemic Diaries. Does what it says on the tin.’
Chris asked: ‘How warts and all is it?’ Matt replied: ‘Totally. Tells the story straight. Needs telling. Also, there’s going to be an inquiry. That will tell the story straight as well.’
Jill Scott said: ‘Tucker trials practise for your big trial?’ Chris laughed: ‘Jill Scott – grilled by a Lioness.’ He then asked Matt: ‘You got a lockdown fine, didn’t you?’
Emotional: Matt struggled to contain his emotions on Friday as he apologised to camp for having an affair with Gina Coladangelo
Matt said: ‘No, of course I didn’t. No, I did not. I didn’t break any…’
Charlene said: ‘You were socialising with someone outside of your household.’ Matt said: ‘I didn’t break any laws. Guidance is different.’
Scarlette Douglas continued: ‘So there’s a rule and there’s a law.’ Matt said: ‘Guidance is guidance. But the problem was it was my guidance. That’s why…’
Scarlette said: ‘Why did you break your own guidance?’ Matt replied: ‘Because it was a mistake, because I fell in love with somebody.’
Matt, in the Bush Telegraph, said: ‘In a way, lots of the campmates asked questions that the public have got as well and it’s only respectful to just give completely straight and truthful answers.’
Matt said: ‘In a way, lots of the campmates asked questions that the public have got as well and it’s only respectful to just give completely straight and truthful answers’
Scarlette continued: ‘But you did it anyway?’ Matt said: ‘That’s why I apologised for it. I feel very… It’s that kind of, you just do it and then afterwards it’s like, “Oh I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
Matt said: ‘No, because it’s bigger than that.’
Charlene added: ‘It’s massively bigger than that. My aunt died from Covid in the first wave. So, we couldn’t go to the hospital to go and visit her. I had to sit by myself in the church at her funeral.
‘We couldn’t hug each other because we were following guidance. And I get that you fell in love, I understand all of those things, but sorry for a lot of families like mine doesn’t really cut it.’
Matt said: ‘Yeah. Well, there you go. That’s one of the reasons that I regret it as much as I do.’
Charlene asked: ‘Do you have regret regarding the way that as Health Minister you dealt with the pandemic as a whole?’
Tough words: Loose Women’s Charlene White, 42, had told the politician her aunt died from the virus and that she hadn’t been able to visit her in hospital due to the rules he had set in place – before disregarding them himself
Matt said: ‘So the pandemic as a whole no, I’m much, much more robust in my defence of it.’
Chris said: ‘You were articulate and human. And I think that’s why a lot of people felt let down a bit. I’m like, ahh… you b***end, why couldn’t you have just been like [Matt: ‘Just got to the end.’]. Yeah… but look, tomorrow is another day.’
Sue added: ‘I think we’ve covered everything, we should stop. What I do appreciate is that you did eat a sheep’s vagina for us. And life isn’t black and white and we are all fallible and we all f*** up.’
Sue, in the Bush Telegraph, added: ‘It was the elephant in the room, wasn’t it? I was glad that he said it and a line should be drawn beneath it and the elephant has departed.’
Matt said to Charlene: ‘Do you know what it is actually, what I’m really looking for is a bit of forgiveness, that’s what I’m really looking for.’
Sue said: ‘Well done, that’s great. Just say that.’ Scarlette said: ‘I nearly cried then.’ Matt replied: ‘So did I.’
Charlene asked: ‘Even when PPE, with carers and with old people’s homes…?’
Matt said: ‘So PPE for instance, I know, of course I saw what happened to it, but that’s because we suddenly needed masses more PPE and so did everybody else in the world. And care homes… There were reasons for the decisions that were taken and ultimately those problems were caused by the virus, not the people who were trying to solve the problem.’
Charlene, in the Bush Telegraph, reflected: ‘It was a lot but you tend to get the best out of people when their guards are down and they feel safe.’
Chris said: ‘We were liking you on the telly on the daily briefings.’ Matt replied: ‘Thanks.’
Watch the next live episode of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! on Sunday at 9pm on ITV and ITV Hub.
I’M A CELEBRITY 2022: THE FULL LINEUP
BOY GEORGE
BOY GEORGE
AGE: 61
CLAIM TO FAME: Legendary pop star
PHOBIAS: Being scared
MISSING ANY BIG OCCASIONS? No, I am going straight into the jungle from playing at various festivals and gigs
ROLE IN THE CAMP: In-house dietician reassuring everyone that they will be ok on the jungle diet. And entertainer – I will sing!
BEST ATTRIBUTE: I am a very positive person and I don’t bear any grudges
DREAM CAMPMATE: It would be funny if my ex, Jon Moss, comes on the programme -but I don’t think that will happen!
CHRIS MOYLES
CHRIS MOYLES
AGE: 48
CLAIM TO FAME: Radio DJ
PHOBIAS: I am petrified of heights. I ended up carrying the bags when we took my girlfriend’s niece once to Go Ape as I am so petrified!
MISSING ANY BIG OCCASIONS? A friend’s birthday, a wedding, and Leeds United matches
ROLE IN THE CAMP: Entertainer. Hopefully I can help shorten everyone’s boredom.
BEST ATTRIBUTE: Hiding food! I am going to fly out early and sneak into the jungle and hide pot noodles everywhere, then I will be everyone’s best friend!
DREAM CAMPMATE: Ant and Dec…let’s see how they cope for 24 hours!
SUE CLEAVER
SUE CLEAVER
AGE: 59
CLAIM TO FAME: Playing Eileen Grimshaw in Coronation Street
PHOBIAS: Don’t be ridiculous! I am not going to admit to what I fear most!
MISSING ANY BIG OCCASIONS? Coronation Street and we are expecting another grandchild any day, so hopefully it will arrive before I fly out to Australia.
ROLE IN THE CAMP: I will be more of a mum – that is where I will naturally fit.
BEST ATTRIBUTE: I can cook and I am a good listener, so hopefully I will be a friendly ear for everyone.
DREAM CAMPMATE: Good Morning Britain’s Richard Arnold. He is my TV husband and it would be lovely to have an ally in camp!
SCARLETTE DOUGLAS
SCARLETTE DOUGLAS
AGE: 35
CLAIM TO FAME: Presenter of A Place In The Sun
PHOBIAS: Spiders. There is no point in lying about it! I’ve got an irrational fear about them
MISSING ANY BIG OCCASIONS? Just a holiday which I can postpone
ROLE IN THE CAMP: Mum, cook and morale booster. I always like to look at the positive side in life
BEST ATTRIBUTE: I can cook and I will be good at making sure everything is tidy in camp
DREAM CAMPMATE: Mo Gilligan. He is hilarious and I totally fancy him!
BABATÚNDÉ ALÉSHÉ
BABATÚNDÉ ALÉSHÉ
AGE: 36
CLAIM TO FAME: Comedian
PHOBIAS: I am scared of absolutely everything. Snakes, rats – I am fearful of them all and I am dreading the trials
MISSING ANY BIG OCCASIONS? I was going on tour but we’ve postponed it now until next year
ROLE IN THE CAMP: Tension breaker. If I can break tension anywhere it starts up in the camp, then I will do that. We don’t need to be bickering as it will be a first-time experience for everyone
BEST ATTRIBUTE: Hopefully I will bring some humour to the camp
DREAM CAMPMATE: I am a big Arsenal fan and so any ex-Arsenal player would be great. I am looking forward to chatting to Ant & Dec about football
SEANN WALSH
SEANN WALSH
AGE: 36
CLAIM TO FAME: Comedian
PHOBIAS: I am not too pleased about rats being in there but I am just trying to pretend it is not happening!
MISSING ANY BIG OCCASIONS? No, I am really looking forward to taking part in this show
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION YOU WANT TO DISPEL IN THE JUNGLE: People have voiced their feelings about me and I am hoping they will see I am very different. I want to create new memories
ROLE IN THE CAMP: I am a great listener. I can’t cook but if someone would like to teach me, then I will give it a go
BEST ATTRIBUTE: I don’t want to put myself down but if my friends were to answer this question, they would say there isn’t much Seann can do! I am not really bringing too much to the table which is why I am a good listener!
DREAM CAMPER: Lee Evans, anyone from Blink-182 or Boy George. My mum took me to see him at Wembley and he wore a satellite dish as a hat!
MIKE TINDALL
MIKE TINDALL
AGE: 44
CLAIM TO FAME: Rugby Union player and married to Princess Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall
PHOBIAS: I haven’t admitted to having any phobias but in a weird way, I am looking forward to taking part in the trials!
MISSING ANY BIG OCCASIONS? My podcast series and the rugby Internationals this autumn
ROLE IN THE CAMP: Morning motivator. I would like to see everyone get on well and us all have a great experience
BEST ATTRIBUTE: I am a positive person
DREAM CAMPMATE: Samuel L Jackson would be cool. He has lived the life!
OWEN WARNER
OWEN WARNER
AGE: 23
CLAIM TO FAME: Playing Romeo Nightingale in Hollyoaks
PHOBIAS: Snakes!
MISSING ANY BIG OCCASIONS? I am a big fan of football so I will miss watching the start of the World Cup
ROLE IN THE CAMP: Entertainer and games coordinator
BEST ATTRIBUTE: It is definitely not my cooking skills or brains!
DREAM CAMPMATE: Any of the Leicester City starting 11!
CHARLENE WHITE
CHARLENE WHITE
AGE: 42
CLAIM TO FAME: ITV newsreader and Loose Women anchor
PHOBIAS: I am not sure what my fear factor will be because I’ve never had rodents, spiders and snakes crawling all over me!
MISSING ANY BIG OCCASIONS? My children’s annual school ball which I am gutted about
ROLE IN THE CAMP: Mum and cook. I don’t mind falling into that position
BEST ATTRIBUTE: I like to listen and talk. I love learning about people and I have a natural curiosity for people
DREAM CAMPMATE: Colin Murray and Richard Osman
JILL SCOTT
JILL SCOTT
AGE: 35
CLAIM TO FAME: Retired England Lioness
PHOBIAS: I don’t like rats and the thought of being underground fills me with fear!
MISSING ANY BIG OCCASIONS? The Men’s World Cup. I am going to find it weird not being able to know how the men are getting on in the tournament. Hopefully they will still be in the tournament when I come out of the jungle
ROLE IN THE CAMP: Helping hand. I like to help people if they aren’t having a good day
BEST ATTRIBUTE: Hard worker. I will always find a way to add value. I am also very honest
DREAM CAMPMATE: Another sports person would be great as it would be someone to bounce ideas off.
OLIVIA ATTWOOD
OLIVIA ATTWOOD – EXITED THE SHOW
AGE: 31
CLAIM TO FAME: Love Island star
PHOBIAS: I hate the dark so I’m keen to avoid any challenges in the darkness
MISSING ANY BIG OCCASIONS? No, had the show been on air any later, I could have missed my sister’s wedding
ROLE IN THE CAMP: Clown. I was always the class clown at school and I love having a laugh
BEST ATTRIBUTE: I don’t take myself seriously and I have got a good sense of humour
DREAM CAMPMATE: A pop legend like Dolly Parton who has amazing stories to tell
MATT HANCOCK
MATT HANCOCK
AGE: 44
CLAIM TO FAME: Politician
PHOBIAS: Snakes. I don’t thankfully suffer from claustrophobia –or I think I don’t!
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION YOU WANT TO DISPEL IN THE JUNGLE: Politicians are people too and it will be nice for people to see me as me. We are human too
ROLE IN THE CAMP: I like to muck in, and I think I will be collecting a lot of firewood. I like cooking too
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