On the 27th of November 2022, ‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!’ 2022 drew to a close. With over 20 trials, a lineup of 12 extraordinary celebrities and over 11 million viewers, it’s safe to say the series was as exciting as ever. This year's exciting lineup included lots of familiar names, including Culture Club’s Boy George, Jill Scott MBE (England Lioness) and Mike Tindall, royal and former England rugby player. However, one name particularly struck a chord with the English public- England’s former Health Secretary, Matt Hancock.
You may recognise Hancock’s name from his infamous affair with Gina Coladangelo. The scandal took place in June 2021, however, the two met in Oxford University when both volunteered at a student radio. Both were married at the time, but have since split and are now a couple. The general public was outraged by Hancock at the time, for a number of reasons. These included his decisions as England’s Health Secretary that led to thousands of deaths in care homes, faking the numbers of the Test and Trace system, and most memorably, the breaking of social distancing rules which he had put in place. While he urged the public to stay home and not visit relatives and friends in order to stop the spread of Covid, he was having an affair with Gina Coladangelo.
Matt Hancock entered the jungle with comedian Seann Walsh as the ‘surprise campmates’ (although the surprise was minimal- presenters Ant and Dec joked that it was the 'worst kept secret in television’). Immediately, Hancock was met with resistance and uncertainty, as fellow celebrities in the jungle were unsure as to how to handle the situation. Many campmates felt unease and discomfort regarding the situation, including Boy George, Charlene White and Chris Moyles. Boy George made clear his views on the situation throughout, stating that he thought of him as ‘slippery’ and ‘slimy’. Boy George even alerted Hancock of the pair’s contrasting political views during an eating trial by saying, ‘Is now a good time to tell you i've never voted Tory?’ to which Matt Hancock responded jokily, ‘That’s not news, George.’ Chris Moyles, former Radio 1 Breakfast Show presenter, joked on his eviction that he was ‘gutted that Matt Hancock is more popular than [him].’ Charlene White similarly displayed her journalistic professional instincts concerning the controversy, when the spare bed next to Hancock’s in the RV was given to her and she declined. Charlene discussed the situation with campmate Sue Cleaver, saying, ‘I’m an impartial journalist, I can’t be sharing a room with a sitting MP because that just doesn't sit right with me impartiality-wise.’
Hancock was, of course, expecting backlash from his appearance on the show, yet stated early on that what he was ‘really looking for is a bit of forgiveness’. These heartfelt words, whether sincere or to save face, led to a hug for Hancock from Charlene and Sue. Many celebrities, since the end of the series, have stated that they found themselves separating ‘Matt Hancock the Politician’ and ‘Matt the Campmate’.
However, it seems the public may have done the same. Matt Hancock left the show at an astonishing third place after completing the Celebrity Cyclone and numerous trials. Many viewers seemed to have sympathised with Hancock after his apology, and he ended up gaining much public support and plenty of votes. When leaving the show, the former MP discussed how he wanted to show the real Matt Hancock, not just what the media portrays him as.
Hancock’s incredulous success on I’m a Celebrity caused a stir in public opinion, and a split of outrage and forgiveness began. One twitter user said, ‘Allowing Matt Hancock to appear on I’m a Celebrity has got to be the most disgraceful, despicable, disgusting decision ever made by a TV station, and Ant and Dec should take a long hard look in the mirror.’ While another user said, ‘What a nasty bunch in this year’s [I’m a Celeb]. I would love to see Matt Hancock win.’
It’s safe to say that Matt Hancock’s appearance and near-win on the popular ITV1 show has raised a controversy, a divide in public opinion, and some critical questions. Does Matt Hancock deserve forgiveness, are his apologies genuine and regretful, or is the public correct in being outraged by his overall appearance and success on the show?
Add comment
Comments