The 44-year-old Tory MP was among those who threw their hat in the ring to replace Theresa May, but pulled out of the contest partway through before backing Boris Johnson. Sunday’s episode of I’m A Celebrity saw Hancock receive enough votes from the public to go up against former England rugby star Mike Tyndall for control of the campsite. The former health secretary enlisted ITV’s Charlene White, with whom he previously fell out over flouting Covid-19 guidance during the pandemic, and they triumphed in a challenge that saw them work together to light a series of lights. Before the mission, Tindall joked: “If I went home and lost to Matt Hancock, I’d be in such a mess.” Hancock told White: “We’re definitely the underdogs,” before replying: “Did you go into the leadership challenge thinking you were the underdog?” After their win, Hancock said: “Obviously, it’s a great honor and a privilege to be captain of the camp. I want to thank everyone who voted for me.” White said: “Is this victory sweet, especially after losing to Boris? Do you feel you have been vindicated?’ Prompting him to reply, “That more than makes up for it.” However, their success prompted soap star Sue Cleaver, Tindall’s would-be deputy, to remark: “Now we have a dictatorship.” Earlier in the episode, Hancock was stung by a scorpion around camp, later telling his fellow contestants, “It was so painful… It hurts a lot and I feel a little dizzy.” Hancock was voted to be the leader of the campsite after facing his fifth consecutive House of Horrors trial, in which he had to crawl through a giant dollhouse full of pigeons, snakes and entrails-filled troughs, searching for stars to feed the camp. Asked by co-presenter Declan Donnelly why he thought the public kept voting him to take part in the grueling trials, Hancock said: “It must be the facial expressions.” Confronting his fear of snakes, the Tory MP spotted nine of the 11 stars on offer, despite one snake trying to strike him at eye level. After returning to camp, he admitted: “I’m blowing myself up.”
