Matt Hancock on I'm a Celeb echoes Nadine Dorries and Kezia Dugdale

2022-11-02

From George Galloway’s purring cat impression on Big Brother to Ed Balls’ Gangnam Style on Strictly… How Matt Hancock going into the I’m a Celeb jungle is only the latest episode in an excruciating saga of MPs on reality TV

Mr Hancock sparked a firestorm of criticism when he announced yesterday that he is going on I’m a Celeb
In 2012, Nadine Dorries sparked controversy and also had the whip removed when she flew to the jungle
Former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale, ex-Lib Dem MP Lembit Opik and Stanley Johnson also featured

In choosing to go on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here, former Health Secretary Matt Hancock is joining a long list of politicians who have swapped the Houses of Parliament for the highs and lows of reality tv.

Mr Hancock sparked a firestorm of criticism and was booted out of the parliamentary Conservative Party when he announced yesterday that he is going on ITV’s hit show.

The politician – who has now landed in Brisbane and is on his way to the I’m a Celeb jungle – has defended his sensational decision and insisted he can use the appearance to ‘go to where the people are’.

But Mr Hancock is not the first Tory MP to get into trouble for appearing on the show. In 2012, Nadine Dorries sparked controversy and also had the whip removed when she flew to the jungle – but ended up being the first celebrity to be voted off after famously having to eat ostrich anus.

Former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale, ex-Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Opik and Boris Johnson’s father Stanley have also featured on I’m a Celeb, whilst one-time Tory minister Edwina Currie starred in both the jungle and on Strictly Come Dancing.

Former Labour shadow chancellor Ed Balls and ex Conservative shadow Home Secretary Anne Widdecombe have also taken to the dance floor, with both making it further than their performances might have warranted.

Former Lib Dem leader Vince Cable fulfilled a long-time dream when he appeared in on the Christmas special of Strictly in 2010, whilst controversial ex-Labour MP George Galloway sparked ridicule when he featured on Celebrity Big Brother in 2006.

And current Leader of the House of Commons and ex-Tory leadership contender Penny Mordaunt famously appeared in short-lived ITV show Splash!, alongside Gemma Collins and Paul Young.

Ms Mordaunt famously belly flopped after mistiming a somersault, leading her to finish in ninth place.

Below, MailOnline looks at the politicians who have tried to impress on reality tv.

George Galloway – Celebrity Big Brother

Mr Galloway, 68, who was thrown out of the Labour Party whilst still an MP in 2003 for making controversial comments about British troops in Iraq, appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2006.

He infamously pretended to be cat in one episode, where he was seen miming licking imaginary milk from the cupped hands of actress Rula Lenska.

The politician was evicted on day 21 of the competition, which that year was won by Chantelle Houghton.

Galloway has since fiercely defended his appearance, saying that his escapades ‘were actually the same stunts that BBC presenters and celebs get up for Children in Need.’

Galloway, 68, who was thrown out of the Labour Party whilst still an MP in 2003 for making controversial comments about British troops in Iraq, appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2006

He infamously pretended to be cat in one episode, where he was seen miming licking imaginary milk from the cupped hands of actress Rula Lenska

Nadine Dorries – I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here

The former Culture Secretary sparked controversy when she appeared on I’m a Celebrity in November 2012.

Her decision prompted her party, which was then led by David Cameron, to withdraw the whip for six months.

The politician had a tough time in the jungle and was seen having to eat both ostrich anus and lamb’s testicle.

She ended up being the first celebrity to leave the show, after just 11 days.

The former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries sparked controversy when she appeared on I’m a Celebrity in November 2012

The politician had a tough time in the jungle and was seen having to eat both ostrich anus and lamb’s testicle. She ended up being the first celebrity to leave the show, after just 11 days

Before going on I’m a Celebrity, Dorries had featured on Channel 4 show Tower Block of Commons, which saw her living in tower blocks and council estates on a budget of £64.30 – the weekly Jobseekers Allowance at the time. Earlier this year, she alleged that some people portrayed as living on her estate were actors and ‘not real’

After being voted off by the public, she said: ‘I think it is important that MPs realise that you need to go where the public go. More people vote on X Factor and I’m A Celebrity than they do in the general elections. MPs need to go where people vote.’

Earlier this year, she alleged that some people portrayed as living on her estate were actors and ‘not real’.

Anne Widdecombe – Strictly Come Dancing

Former Tory MP and minister Anne Widdecombe, 75, appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and was partnered with Anton Du Beke.

Even though her performances were roundly panned by judges, Ms Widdecombe proved popular with the public and remained in the competition for ten weeks.

In her final dance, Ms Widdecombe was described as a ‘dalek in drag’, and awarded a mere 14 points out of 40 for an American Smooth routine inspired by the musical Hello Dolly!

Ms Widdeombe returned to the show for a special Christmas episode in 2018, where she finally earned two points from ‘Mr Nasty’ judge Craig Revel Horwood.

The former shadow Home Secretary also featured in the 21st series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2018, where she finished second to drag queen Courtney Act.

Former Tory MP and minister Anne Widdecombe, 75, appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and was partnered with Anton Du Beke. Even though her performances were roundly panned by judges, Ms Widdecombe proved popular with the public and remained in the competition for ten weeks.

Ms Widdecombe is seen being hauled around the dance floor by her professional partner Anton Du Beke during her 2010 stint on Strictly

Edwina Currie – Strictly Come Dancing and I’m a Celebrity

Former Tory health minister Ms Currie, 76, who famously had an affair ex-PM John Major, has appeared on both Strictly and I’m a Celebrity.

She took to the dance floor in 2011, where she was partnered with professional Vincent Simone.

But her performances failed to impress either the judges or the public and they became the first pair to be voted off the hit show.

Former Tory health minister Ms Currie, 76, who famously had an affair ex-PM John Major, has appeared on both Strictly and I’m a Celebrity. Above: Ms Currie on I’m a Celebrity in 2014

Ms Currie took to the Strictly dance floor in 2011, where she was partnered with professional Vincent Simone. But her performances failed to impress either the judges or the public and they became the first pair to be voted off the hit show

Ms Currie then flew to the jungle in 2014 and was more successful as she came fourth in the competition.

While on the show, she fell out with American TV personality Kendra Wilkinson when the star said: ‘You should never live your life for other people, ever’.

The politician quickly said she did not agree and the argument quickly escalated, prompting Wilkinson to brand Ms Currie ‘heartless’ as she burst into tears.

Ed Balls – Strictly Come Dancing

After losing his seat at the 2015 election, former shadow Chancellor Ed Balls featured on Strictly the following year.

Partnered with Russian dancer Katya Jones, Mr Balls was hugely popular with the public as his performances proved to be a long way from his drab Commons appearances.

He famously danced to Korean superstar Psy’s mega hit Gangnam Style, a feat which helped him into the tenth week of the competition.

Since appearing on Strictly, Mr Balls has launched a successful career as a broadcaster – even as his wife Yvette continues to serve on the Labour frontbench as shadow Home Secretary.

After losing his seat at the 2015 election, former shadow Chancellor Ed Balls featured on Strictly the following year. He famously danced to Korean superstar Psy’s mega hit Gangnam Style, a feat which helped him into the tenth week of the competition

Partnered with Russian dancer Katya Jones, Mr Balls was hugely popular with the public as his performances proved to be a long way from his drab Commons appearances

Penny Mordaunt – Splash

Before she twice attempted to become Prime Minister this year, Ms Mordaunt appeared on ITV’s celebrity diving show Splash! in 2014.

Whilst she was criticised by Labour for making the jump to reality TV, the politician defended herself and said she was giving her £10,000 appearance fee to an armed forces charity and for the renovation of her constituency lido.

The former Defence Secretary infamously belly flopped on the show after a backwards somersault went wrong.

This was despite the fact she had been coached by British Olympic hero Tom Daley.

Ms Mordaunt was the ninth celebrity to be eliminated, after the likes of musician Paul Young and stand-up comic Patrick Monahan.

Before she twice attempted to become Prime Minister this year, Ms Mordaunt appeared on ITV’s celebrity diving show Splash! in 2014. Whilst she was criticised by Labour for making the jump to reality TV, the politician defended herself and said she was giving her £10,000 appearance fee to an armed forces charity and for the renovation of her constituency lido

Kezia Dugdale and Stanley Johnson – I’m a Celebrity

Former Scottish Labour leader Ms Dugdale, 41, appeared on I’m a Celebrity in 2017, along with Boris Johnson’s father Stanley.

Her appearance was controversial because, although she had resigned as Scottish Labour leader earlier that year, she was still a sitting member of the Scottish Parliament.

She had also not obtained permission from party officials to feature on the show.

Former Scottish Labour leader Ms Dugdale, 41, appeared on I’m a Celebrity in 2017, along with Boris Johnson’s father Stanley

Ms Dugdale was the second person to be voted off the show, for which she this week said she was paid £70,000 to appear on

Mr Johnson, 82, fared better than Ms Dugdale as he eventually finished in seventh place. He also famously struck up a friendship with Made in Chelsea star Georgia ‘Toff’ Toffolo (pictured)

Ms Dugdale was the second person to be voted off the show, for which she this week said she was paid £70,000 to appear on.

Mr Johnson, 82, fared better than Ms Dugdale as he eventually finished in seventh place. He also famously struck up a friendship with Made in Chelsea star Georgia ‘Toff’ Toffolo.

Vince Cable – Strictly Come Dancing

Former Business Secretary Mr Cable, now 79, appeared on the Christmas edition of Strictly in 2010.

The long-time ballroom dancing fan had first revealed that he wanted to appear on the show in 2007, when he was acting Liberal Democrat leader.

He danced the Foxtrot with Erin Boag and received a score of 36 out of 40 from the judges.

Former Business Secretary Mr Cable, now 79, appeared on the Christmas edition of Strictly in 2010. The long-time ballroom dancing fan had first revealed that he wanted to appear on the show in 2007, when he was acting Liberal Democrat leader. He danced the Foxtrot with Erin Boag and received a score of 36 out of 40 from the judges

Lembit Opik – I’m a Celebrity

Former Lib Dem MP Lembit Opik, appeared on I’m a Celebrity in 2010, after losing his seat in the Commons at that year’s election.

He survived for just two weeks in the jungle and was famously bitten by a snake.

The former politician has also featured on Come Dine With Me and in a special episode of The Apprentice for Sport Relief

Former Lib Dem MP Lembit Opik, appeared on I’m a Celebrity in 2010, after losing his seat in the Commons at that year’s election. He survived for just two weeks in the jungle and was famously bitten by a snake

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