Matt Hancock ‘snubs GMB interview’ as only I’m A Celeb finalist to refuse press

Published 11:02 28 Nov 2022 GMT

Steve Hopkins

Matt Hancock ‘snubs GMB interview’ as only I’m A Celeb finalist to refuse press

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Jill, Owen and Mike all made time on Monday

Matt Hancock snubbed Good Morning Britain on Monday and refused to do an interview, despite his I'm A Celebrity campmates all appearing on the show after Sunday's final. The former health secretary came third in the show, with footballer Jill Scott crowned Queen of the Jungle and Hollyoaks actor Owen Warner being the runner-up. Read also: I'm A Celebrity viewers convinced Matt Hancock recreated infamous scandal pic with Gina embrace Usually, the three finalists appear on daytime TV, however speaking on GMB, presenter Susanna Reid confirmed Hancock declined to appear. A source told The Mirror Hancock won't do any press interviews until he arrives back in the UK: "Matt Hancock will appear on ITV daytime but only once he is back in the UK later on this week." Jill, Owen and Mike Tindall all appeared on the show on Monday. https://twitter.com/GMB/status/1597147381933674496 https://twitter.com/GMB/status/1597140255228178432 After leaving the jungle, Hancock was greeted by his girlfriend and former aide Gina Coladangelo who he broke covid restrictions with during the pandemic. The pair's affair was splashed across the front pages after they were caught embracing. Hancock later had to step down as health secretary. Speaking to Ant and Dec during his exit interview, Hancock said of his motivation to appear on the show: "Politicians don't come across as human enough and I wanted to show who I am." He added: "People think they know me, but they only know me from the TV and the media." Hancock had his Conservative whip removed when his I'm A Celeb entry was announced. It was later revealed he would earn £400,000 for the appearance. Hancock later defended his decision to join the show in The Sun, writing: “I think it’s a great opportunity to talk directly to people who aren’t always interested in politics, even if they care very much about how our country’s run. “It’s our job as politicians to go to where the people are — not to sit in ivory towers in Westminster. “There are many ways to do the job of being an MP. Whether I’m in camp for one day or three weeks, there are very few places people will be able to see a politician as they really are.” While many viewers, celebrities, media commentators and the families of those who had died during the pandemic were aghast at Hancock's appearance on the show, he settled into camp life easily and won many stars in multiple Bushtucker trials.