Wednesday 2 November 2022 09:13 AM I'm A Celebrity fans pledge to vote for Matt Hancock to do every Bushtucker ... trends now

Matt Hancock looks set for a gruelling few weeks in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! as fans are plotting for him to do all the Bushtucker Trials.

The former Health Secretary, 44,  who quit after breaking his own lockdown rules by having an affair with long-time aide Gina Coladangelo, will become the 12th celebrity heading to the Australian jungle.

After the announcement, Chief Whip Simon Hart announced he had removed the whip from Matt - the same fate that befell fellow Tory MP Nadine Dorries when she went on the ITV show in 2012.

Matt is likely to find himself having to chow down on all sorts of creepy crawlies as many fans are eager to see him do as many Bushtucker Trials as possible.

Betfair have released odds at 2/1 for the politician to do more trials than Naughty Boy who holds the record with seven from the 2021 series.

Several fans of the ITV reality series took to Twitter to speculate on how the voting public will react when Matt lands in the jungle.

One user said: 'Matt Hancock will do Every Single bushtucker trial for sure.' 

Another added: 'Matt Hancock is going to get more Bushtucker Trials than Gillian McKeith and Natalie Appleton combined. Smart move ITV.

Another said: 'Matt Hancock is going to face every Bushtucker trial, isn't he....?

One viewer said: 'I’ve never voted for a game show. This year, my finger will be firmly pressed on redial for Matt Hancock to do every single Bushtucker Trail.' 

Matt will be a late addition to the jungle along with comedian Seann Walsh. 

The politician has defended his shock decision to go on the show - insisting that by flying more than 10,000 miles from his West Suffolk constituency to appear in the Australian-based show he will 'go to where the people are' and 'promote his dyslexia campaign'.

Writing in The Sun, the former Cabinet minister said: 'While there will undoubtedly be those who think I shouldn't go, I think it's a great opportunity to talk directly to people who aren't always interested in politics, even if they care very much about how our country's run.

'It's our job as politicians to go to where the people are - not to sit in ivory towers in Westminster.

'There are many ways to do the job of being an MP. Whether I'm in camp for one day or three weeks, there are very few places people will be able to see a politician as they really are.

'So, the truth is, I haven't lost my marbles or had one too many pina coladas. It's something I've given a lot of thought to. I was elected by the people, and it's important to engage with voters, especially younger voters, no matter where they are, and show the human side of politicians.'

The news of his participation drew a rapid rebuke from Number 10, with Rishi Sunak's spokesman saying the Prime Minister believes MPs should be 'working hard for their constituents' at a 'challenging time for the country'. 

 Mr Sunak is 'unlikely' to watch Mr Hancock in action, the spokesman added. 

PR expert Mark Borkowski estimated Matt could have been paid a £350,000 appearance fee. He told MailOnline: 'They paid Noel Edmonds £500,000 and that was a top booking - either Hancock is desperate for the visibility or the money... if it's the money I'd expect £350,000 - he should be very careful what he wishes for.' 

Matt will stay as MP for West Suffolk but serve as an independent. While he will be able to keep his party membership, he will not be able to stand for election as a Conservative party candidate, vote in party contests or stand for committee chairman posts. 

A source close to the MP said he would donate some of the appearance fee to St Nicholas Hospice in Suffolk, but would not say how much. 

A political ally said he had accepted he was unlikely to become a minister again and wanted to connect with 'younger generations'.   

'Politicians like Matt must go to where the people are - particularly those who are politically disengaged,' they said. 

'Matt's of the view that we must embrace popular culture. Rather than looking down on reality TV, we should see it for what it is - a powerful tool to get our message heard by younger generations.' 

The MP first turned down the opportunity to appear on the show because of 'instability' the government was facing at the time, according to the source. 

However, he now believes the administration is 'stable' and views his stint on the show as an 'amazing opportunity' to talk about issues he really cares about, they claimed. 

'When he was first approached to take part - while he was flattered and naturally curious - it didn't take him too long to turn the opportunity down because of the instability Government was facing at the time,' the ally said. 

'Now, though, the Government is stable. Rishi Sunak has made a great start and the whole of the Conservative Party is united behind him. 

'Rishi has a big majority, so he can get his agenda through Parliament. Matt's talked to the whips, in the same way any MP would when going on a foreign visit, which happens all the time. 

'As I say, Matt doesn't expect to serve in Government again, but he can support Rishi and the Government in different ways. 

'This is an amazing opportunity to engage with the public and talk about issues he really cares about - including his dyslexia campaign.' 

The ally said producers of the show have agreed Matt can communicate with them if there is an urgent constituency matter. 

But former Tory MP Ann Widdecombe told Sky News it was wrong for a serving MP to

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