The Conservative MP for West Suffolk was quizzed by his fellow contestants about quitting after entering the Australian jungle on reality show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Hancock, 44, was forced to step down from his cabinet role in June 2021 after he was caught on CCTV having an affair with aide Gina Colandangelo in his cabinet office, breaching social distancing rules due to coronavirus. Speaking to comedian Babatunde Aleshe, he discussed how his life changed after his relationship went public. “It was really tough. “I messed it up and messed it up. I quit and it’s no excuse, but I fell in love, right?’ he said. “That also had a lot of other consequences obviously.” Asked if he is still with Koladangelos, he replied: “With Gina? Yes very much yes completely. “That will be the best thing to get you kicked out, to see her on the bridge.” Hancock participated in a Bushtucker trial called Tentacles of Terror, in which he was trapped inside an octopus-shaped cage full of underwater creatures. The MP successfully collected 11 numbered stars in order for the structure to be lowered into the water, resulting in him gaining full rations for the camp. The public voted for Hancock, along with singer-songwriter Boy George, to take on the show’s first food challenge on Friday. The show’s hosts, Declan Donnelly and Ant McPartlin, said the pair would eat at La Cucaracha Café (Cockroach Cafe). Hancock’s decision to appear on the show was criticized by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who said he was “very disappointed” with the former health minister. This resulted in Hancock losing the Tory whip. Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer said Hancock should “voluntarily leave” the I’m A Celebrity jungle and return to parliament. Taking questions on BBC Radio Humberside, Starmer said his decision to join the show was “wrong”. Subscribe to The Guardian Headlines UK A roundup of the top morning headlines emailed straight to you every day of the week Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Hancock seemed to get along well with his teammates, although some contestants commented on the events leading up to his resignation. TV presenter and property expert Scarlett Douglas told him: “A lot of things have happened to you over the years, which makes it difficult because people are angry and upset – emotions are running high. “We are never going to exclude anyone. We want to make sure everyone is a family, but if it’s difficult in the early days, I’m sure you can understand why.” Hancock replied, “That’s very good of you to say.” Douglas added: “It was difficult. Many people have had hard times. “And then to see that the people who had set the rules had broken them, I think it was a big slap in the face for everybody.” Hancock replied, “Look, I know how people felt. “That’s why I quit, right? I know how people felt and so good of you to say that, thank you.’
