Wednesday 2 November 2022 10:34 AM Susanna Reid is forced to apologise after Matt Hancock is labelled a 'd***head' ... trends now

Susanna Reid was forced to apologise on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday, after Matt Hancock was labelled a 'd***head' live on air.

The former Health Secretary, 44, who quit after breaking his own lockdown rules by having an affair with long-time aide Gina Coladangelo, sensationally confirmed his participation in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here on Tuesday.

In a heated discussion about the topic, Daily Mail journalist Andrew Pierce made a jibe about the politician.

He said: 'He's a d***head... I can say that, can't I?'

Susanna quickly jumped in: 'No! Apologies, everyone.'

Viewers at home couldn't help but laugh at the 'TV gold' incident and took to Twitter to voice their amusement.

One wrote: '@toryboypierce keeping it real. Early morning callout of @MattHancock being a #dickhead.' 

Another chimed in: 'Andrew Pierce calling Matt Hancock a 'd***head' on #GMB at 6:30 in the morning is TV gold'.

A shocked third said: 'Don't hold back @toryboypierce #gmb I wasn't expecting the word d***head while I was eating my weetabix'.

Andrew also labelled Matt a 'laughing stock' and added: 'We've known Matt Hancock for a long time. When they see him, warts and all, it will not be nice.'

It comes after Matt defended his decision to appear on the reality show, writing in The Sun that it's his job as a politician 'to go where the people are' and that he wants to 'engage with voters'.

He 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.

'I want to raise the ­profile of my dyslexia campaign to help every dyslexic child unleash their potential - even if it means taking an unusual route to get there... via the Australian jungle! I'm A Celebrity... is watched by millions of Brits up and down the country.

'I want to use this incredible platform to raise awareness, so no child leaves primary school not knowing if they have dyslexia.'

He wore a white T-shirt which he tucked into a pair of faded jeans, along with a navy cardigan and white shoes, while carrying a grey baseball cap.

When quizzed about his upcoming stint on the reality show at the airport, he replied: 'I had a very pleasant flight. I am keeping my mouth zipped.'

It follows reports that Matt 'angered' bosses of SAS: Who Dares Wins after signing up to I'm A Celebrity.

However, he is said to have already agreed to compete Celebrity SAS in September for the next series which will air in 2023.

A source told The Sun: 'Matt was the star signing for SAS Who Dares Wins but now he's on I'm A Celebrity it has poured cold water all over it. He will be on air on ITV's biggest show for a month.

'Obviously no one working on SAS is impressed as it really takes away from their show and it looks like they signed him after I'm A Celebrity – which isn't true.'

'Everyone is pretty angry about what has gone on and it's not the best move Matt could have made.'

MailOnline contacted Channel 4 for comment at the time.

It comes after friends of Matt's estranged wife Martha revealed their shock at his decision to star on I'm A Celebrity - a move that got him kicked out of the parliamentary Tory party. 

One friend of Martha's was searing in their condemnation of the father of three today, branding him a 'total halfwit who's making some unwise career moves'. 

Meanwhile, one former minister predicted Mr Hancock would be selected for a bushtucker trial 'every day'. Referring to the notorious challenge for contestants to eat kangaroo testicles, the Tory told MailOnline: 'I have sympathy for the poor kangaroo.' 

The politician added: 'Is Matt Hancock technically a celebrity? I think he's probably in a slightly lower league than Mike Tindall. If he's eliminated in the first round he'll be appalled. He's going to be the hate figure, every single day he will be doing a challenge.'  

The news 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.   

Chief Whip Simon Hart announced he had removed the whip from Mr Hancock - the same fate that befell fellow Tory MP Nadine Dorries when she went on the ITV show in 2012. 'Following a conversation with Matt Hancock, I have considered the situation and believe this is a matter serious enough to warrant suspension of the whip with immediate effect,' he said.

PR expert Mark Borkowski estimated Mr Hancock 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.' 

Mr Hancock 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. 

Today, 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.' 

Mr Hancock 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 Mr Hancock 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 be away 'for weeks on end' and asked what would happen 'if there's an emergency'. 

Andy Drummond, deputy chairman of West Suffolk Conservative Association, said he was looking forward to seeing Mr Hancock 'eating a kangaroo's penis' on the show - a reference to the notorious bushtucker trials in which contestants compete in a series of gruesome challenges to win stars. 'Quote me, you can quote me on that,' he added. 

Who takes part in each trial goes down to a public poll, and today bookmaker Ladbrokes suggested voters' desire for 'payback' had seen Mr Hancock become odds-on favourite to set a new record for the most bushtucker trials ever carried out by an I'm A Celeb contestant. It is unclear whether Mr Hancock has already arrived in Australia. 

Today's news drew mockery from political rivals, with SNP MP Pete Wishart tweeting: 'It speaks volumes that @MattHancock would rather be stranded in a remote jungle eating kangaroo testicles than spend a moment longer on the Tory benches at Westminster, as @RishiSunak's government lurches from one crisis to another.'

Shadow health minister Andrew Gwynne added: 'To be fair to Matt Hancock, I'd sooner eat wallaby anus than be a Tory MP too.'

Joining Mr Hancock for three weeks of creepy crawlies are former England rugby player Mike Tindall, 80s hitmaker Boy George, Love Island star Olivia Attwood and DJ Chris Moyles. Also starring in the new series on November 6 will be actor Owen Warner, Loose Women's Charlene White, A Place In The Sun presenter Scarlette Douglas, Coronation Street's Sue Cleaver, comedian Babatúndé Aléshé and retired England Lioness Jill Scott. 

Mr Hancock's decision has angered those working on SAS Who Dares Wins. The Tory has also signed up for the show, which is due to air on Channel 4 next year. A source told The Sun: 'Matt was the star signing for SAS Who Dares Wins but now he's on I'm A Celebrity it has poured cold water all over it. He will be on air on ITV's biggest show for a month.'