Matt Hancock squeals as he’s showered with sludge on I’m a Celeb debut | I am a Celeb …

Within the run-up to Matt Hancock’s look on I’m a Celeb, it was broadly speculated that he can be subjected to all probably the most ugly challenges. In that respect, his first episode didn’t fail to ship.

The hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly – and possibly a lot of the nation – may barely include their delight as the previous well being secretary was compelled to crawl by means of tiny, darkish tunnels the place he was showered with bugs and sludge.

Hancock made his debut on the present in its fourth episode, which aired on Wednesday evening, alongside the comic Seann Walsh. The pair went straight into their first trial, named Beastly Burrows, which concerned feeling their approach by means of darkish, muddy tunnels and feeling round for the celebs that characterize achievement within the trials.

Notable moments embody Hancock squealing whereas bugs and thick liquid have been poured on him from above. He supplied ample comedian alternative for his comic campmate, asking him: “Which approach would you like me to go?” prompting Walsh to reply: “I’m not a satnav, I don’t know!”

Hancock’s inclusion is seen as an try by the producers to buoy rankings, which have been flagging in current seasons. The launch episode – which aired on Sunday after Hancock’s participation was introduced – drew a median of 9 million viewers, with a peak of greater than 10 million at one level, a rise on final yr’s 10-year low of 8 million.

Viewers have been stunned to not see Hancock within the launch, as he had landed in Australia on 1 November. McPartlin and Donnelly hinted that he would be part of quickly, confirming that they might shortly be “rolling out the welcome mat” for brand new arrivals.

Each Walsh, 36, and Hancock, 44, have sought to rehabilitate their pictures after kissing scandals. Hancock resigned as well being secretary for breaking Covid guidelines by having an affair along with his aide, whereas Walsh was pictured kissing his dance companion on Strictly, prompting his companion on the time to accuse him of emotional abuse.

Hancock’s choice to affix the present was met with widespread criticism from parliamentary colleagues as he’s a serving MP and shall be away from his West Suffolk constituents for its length, though the producers will enable him to speak with them and he’ll maintain catchup surgical procedures upon his return.

He had the Conservative party whip removed and the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, expressed his “disappointment”.

Hancock had his telephone eliminated by the producers after touchdown in Australia and might not be absolutely conscious of the dimensions of backlash.

Talking earlier than his debut on the present, Hancock defended his decision, saying it ws pushed by searching for “other ways to speak with the general public”, particularly younger folks.

In a letter to constituents wherein he acknowledged their “considerations”, he stated he didn’t “anticipate to serve in authorities once more” and that he may assist Sunak “in different methods” as there have been “some ways to do the job of being an MP”.

He plans to make use of the platform to boost the profile of his dyslexia screening invoice, which goals to assist youngsters obtain diagnoses earlier, and can donate a part of his payment from the present to causes together with the British Dyslexia Affiliation.

Hancock has expressed fears about operating into snakes within the jungle, however not about different challenges. “I’ve by no means come throughout a snake at shut quarters and so I’m fairly frightened about something to do with snakes. I’m not claustrophobic, or no less than I haven’t been discovered to be, however that’s the factor about I’m a Celeb – it’s the unknown,” he stated.

Addressing whether or not he thought his colleagues in parliament and the British public can be voting for him to do trials, he stated he “wouldn’t be stunned”.

The shadow enterprise secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, instructed Sky Information that Hancock’s look on the present “demeans politics and the job that we do”, however confessed that he would tune in to see how his parliamentary colleague was progressing.

Requested whether or not he would vote for Hancock to eat crocodile anus in the course of the trials, Reynolds replied: “I feel there shall be a landslide throughout the nation for Matt being volunteered for that form of factor.”