Matt Hancock insists viewers will see ‘the real me’ in I’m A Celeb jungle – ‘warts and all’

Matt Hancock has said viewers will see him “warts and all” while he is on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!

The former health secretary said he hoped to show “the real me” in a short teaser clip at the end of Tuesday night’s episode.

In the video, the MP was officially confirmed as a contestant alongside comedian Seann Walsh.

“This experience will be an adventure,” Mr Hancock said.

He added: “When I’m in camp, people will just see the real me. Survival in the jungle is a good metaphor for the world I work in.

“People will see me warts and all, see the human side of the guy behind the podium. I don’t think I’ve got any fears or phobias but I’m about to find out.”

His appearance was confirmed on social media after the show with a post on the I’m a Celeb official Instagram page.

The former cabinet minister, 44, has been widely mocked for his decision to appear on the reality TV show and has had the Conservative Party whip removed as a result.

Addressing these concerns, he said that he felt it was “actually really important” to show the public that politicians are “real people”.

Unlike the rest of the camp, Mr Hancock has been given access to his phone and laptop during his isolation so he can continue working and stay connected with constituents.

Walsh, his fellow campmate, told viewers that he was “in no way prepared” to enter the jungle and expressed alarm that there would be no tea or coffee in the camp.

Alluding to his appearance on Strictly Come Dancing, during which he found himself at the centre of a media storm after he was photographed kissing Katya Jones, his dance partner, Walsh said he “went on a dance show” and “didn’t go down too well on that”.

“I get the hunch I’ll be doing a trial or two,” he added.

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One of the favourite’s to win the show, Love Island’s Olivia Attwood, was forced to retire from the jungle on medical grounds after one day.

Other celebrities taking part in this year’s series are: Culture Club star Boy George, TV presenter and property expert Scarlette Douglas, Lioness Jill Scott, Coronation Street actress Sue Cleaver, Hollyoaks actor Owen Warner, rugby star Mike Tindall, comedian Babatunde Aleshe and journalist and broadcaster Charlene White.

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! continues on Wednesday at 9pm on ITV and ITV Hub.