Former health secretary Matt Hancock has signed up for reality television series I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!
As if the state of Britain's politics hadn't become farcical enough already - former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss having been outlived by a lettuce - Matt Hancock is set to be the twelfth star to enter the jungle on this year's I'm A Celeb.
Advert
Hancock will be one of the contestants to enter as a bombshell, arriving later on in the ITV show.
People have since flooded to social media, having been left divided over the news.
An insider in the television industry told the Sun: "Matt is a sensational signing for the show as producers love a star with a story to tell - and they always hope they'll spill the beans round the campfire.
Advert
"He's the latest in a long line of figures from the political sphere, including MP Nadine Dorries, Stanley Johnson and MP Lembit Opik.
"There's been a question mark over who the twelfth campmate would be, partly because negotiations over Matt going in were so top secret. It seems Matt was a last-minute signing."
Fans of the show have since flocked to social media to react to the news of Hancock being set to head down under.
Advert
One Twitter user wrote: "I can't tell if this is a joke."
"It is not a joke, but it is the punchline," another responded.
A third jibed: "Let's hope he is more aware of hidden cameras this time..."
One member of the British public was outraged at the prospect of Hancock deserting his political duties.
Advert
They said: "As someone born and raised in West Suffolk, and with family there, I'm absolutely outraged that Matt Hancock is abandoning his constituents to go on I'm A Celeb - particularly as many face a cost of living crisis.
"Complete dereliction of duty."
Hancock's surprise sign up for the reality TV show didn't go down well in Westminster either.
Chief Whip Simon Hart said: "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."
Others can't wait to see how Hancock is treated by viewers during his time in the jungle: "I think I can predict that he will be involved in every single trial and will not be voted out until the very last day.
Advert
"Speed dial ready."
A final simply resolved: "Don't they have enough vermin and irritating critters to deal with??"
Hancock will be joining the likes of lead singer of Culture Club Boy George, DJ Chris Moyles and former professional rugby player and husband to Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter Zara, Mike Tindall.
After two years in Wales, having had to move from Australia because of the coronavirus pandemic, the show is returning to the outbacks.
I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! kicks off in less than a week on Sunday, 6 November, 2022 at 9:00pm on ITV.
LADbible has contacted ITV for comment.
Featured Image Credit: Matt Crossick/Alamy Imageplotter/AlamyTopics: Matt Hancock, UK News, Celebrity, TV and Film