Matt Hancock jokes he's 'never come across a live snake before'

2022-11-09

‘Survival in the jungle is a good metaphor for the world I work in’: Matt Hancock jokes he’s ‘never come across a live snake before’ as he teases his I’m A Celeb appearance in TikTok video

Matt Hancock has compared his upcoming appearance on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here to his working life in government.

The former Health Secretary will make his debut on the ITV show during Wednesday night’s episode.

And ahead of the anticipated arrival, the reality show has released a new TikTok video of Hancock musing over how he’ll survive the notorious Bushtucker Trials.

New teaser: Matt Hancock has compared his upcoming appearance on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here to his working life in government in a new video ahead of his debut

Talking to camera, Hancock is seen laughing as he insists: ‘I don’t think I’ve got any fears of phobias but we’re about to find out.’

After telling viewers he is ‘probably best known as the former health secretary’ the jovial politician admits ‘there are a lot of people who will criticise a sitting MP going into the jungle, but showing that we politicians are normal human beings is actually really important.’

He makes a dig at his employers, quipping that ‘survival in the jungle is a good metaphor for the world I work in.’

New experiences: The MP will make his debut on Wednesday and ahead of his arrival a new video has been released showing him debating how he’ll fare in the Bushtucker Trials

Jokes: Talking to camera, Hancock is seen laughing as he insists: ‘I don’t think I’ve got any fears of phobias but we’re about to find out’

Controversial appearance: The MP will no doubt find himself top of the public vote to take on the Bushtucker Trials and will take on his first challenge in tonight’s show

The MP will no doubt find himself top of the public vote to take on the Bushtucker Trials, but he seems confident in his approach, spinning the negatives of jungle life into positives in true politics style.

‘If I’m asked to do a trial I just hope I can find those stars,’ he insists with a smile, adding:

‘I’ve got absolutely no idea how I’ll deal with snakes. I’ve never come across a live snake before.’

‘Eating bugs, I’m sure I’ll be fine, I can just get it, you can just get it down you, can’t you?’

Back to basics: ‘Eating bugs, I’m sure I’ll be fine, I can just get it, you can just get it down you, can’t you?’ the unsure MP muses

The video ends with a shocked looked Hancock responding to an interviewer off camera as he asks ‘What? Eating bums? That’s not part of the show, is it?’

The former Health Secretary is poised to make his jungle debut alongside comedian Seann Walsh on Wednesday evening, but show bosses will ensure his stay gets off to a difficult start by throwing him into its most notorious camp, Snake Rock.

Hancock previously revealed he’s going on I’m A Celeb to ‘prove politicians are humans too’ and connect with a younger audience, after his decision to enter the jungle sparked a fierce backlash from Westminster and the public.

I’M A MP… GET ME IN THE JUNGLE: MATT’S QUICK-FIRE Q&A

Biggest 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.

What will your role be in the camp? I like to muck in, and I think I will be collecting a lot of firewood. I like cooking too.

Say what? The video ends with a shocked looked Hancock responding to an interviewer off camera as he asks ‘What? Eating bums? That’s not part of the show, is it?’

Despite political insiders telling MailOnline that Hancock’s decision to go on I’m a Celebrity – and its reputed £400,000 pay day – will end his frontline political career, he has insisted that he’s received plenty of support from his fellow MPs, although admitted he doesn’t expect to serve in Government again.

Hancock, who was forced to quit Boris Johnson’s cabinet after he was caught flouting his own Covid rules with his married aide Gina Coladangelo, also revealed that he’s ‘looking forward’ to showing the public a different side to him after his time in the cabinet.

Dressed the part: The former Health Secretary is poised to make his jungle debut alongside comedian Seann Walsh on Wednesday evening

Mission statement: Hancock previously revealed he’s going on I’m A Celeb to ‘prove politicians are humans too’ and connect with a younger audience

Explaining his decision to appear on the show, he explained: ‘I don’t expect to serve in Government again but there are lots of ways you can communicate and engage with people.

‘When I got approached to take part, I did think long and hard about it but one of the reasons that I felt able to say yes was because the IAC team have put in place a system so I can be reached at any point on any urgent constituency matters.

‘Lots of people have a view on me from being Health Secretary in the pandemic dealing with some very difficult issues, but that’s not the whole story. I am looking forward to throwing myself into it all like I do everything in life.

‘You can’t hide anything in the jungle, you see somebody warts and all.’

I’M A CELEBRITY 2022: THE FULL LINEUP

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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