Matt Hancock’s huge I’m A Celebrity fee finally unveiled in government documents
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Matt Hancock swapped politics for bushtucker trials last year when taking part in I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and now, his large fee has been revealed.
The controversial former home secretary, 44, was widely criticised for appearing on the hit reality competition series in November, but it turns out he was paid a handsome sum to take part.
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His participation in the ITV series immediately drew criticism, with prime minister Rishi Sunak and fellow politicians calling out Hancock as he entered the famous Australian jungle.
Despite all the critters and underground chambers he faced, TV watchdog Ofcom confirmed that they received approximately 1,100 complaints about him after one week on the air.
His fellow campmates even grilled him on his handling of the covid-19 pandemic and viewers got their revenge of sorts by voting him first to do six consecutive Bushtucker Trials.
But it appears the public eventually warmed to him as the disgraced politician secured a third place finish.
And the West Suffolk MP's fee for his television stint in Australia was recently listed in the MP’s register of financial interests.
Records on the MP’s register showed that on December 14, 2022, Hancock received £320,000 from Lifted Entertainment, ITV Studios, for taking part for 30 days, totalling 720 hours.
The register also revealed that he had been paid £48,000 for an interview and the serialisation of his book, Pandemic Diaries, in the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Hancock resigned as Health Secretary in June 2021 after he was caught breaking social distancing guidance by kissing and embracing an aide in his office - someone he has gone on to have a relationship with.
His foray into reality television didn't end with the Ant and Dec-fronted show. Hancock also took part in Channel 4's SAS: Who Dares Win?
Hancock's appearance on SAS was reportedly filmed before he headed into the Australian outback, but it won't be aired until later this year.
The show puts celebrities through gruelling military training exercises and Hancock filmed for 80 hours between 24 September and 8 October.
Hancock's earnings were shared by The Guardian political correspondent, Peter Walker, on Twitter. He had been given a fee of £45,000 from Minnow Films, which produces SAS.
It's probably a good thing he has established a reality TV career as he remains suspended from the Conservative Party due to taking time off from his duties as an MP to appear on I'm A Celeb.
We can only imagine what's next - Celebrity Big Brother, perhaps?
Featured Image Credit: ITV
Topics: Matt Hancock, TV and Film
