The sitting MP had his Conservative Party whip removed as a result of his decision to take part in the 20th series of the show, and is now classed as an independent MP for West Suffolk. He has so far completed six consecutive bushtucker trials to win meals for his campmates.
Mr Hancock resigned from his position after revelations of an affair with his aide Gina Coladangelo, an event which breached his own COVID-19 regulations. In the jungle, he told his fellow celebrities that he is looking for “forgiveness” for his actions .
Last week, he told Loose Women presenter Charlene White, during the episode that aired on Thursday, November 10: “Do you know what it is actually, what I’m really looking for is a bit of forgiveness, that’s what I’m really looking for. We all make mistakes. I made a pretty big one.”
He also told comedian Babatunde Aleshe: “It was really tough. I messed up and I fessed up. I resigned, and it’s no excuse, but I fell in love, right? That also had a lot of other consequences, obviously.”
READ MORE: Matt Hancock to cause upset as I'm A Celebrity star 'favourite' to win
In a poll that ran from 4pm on Monday, November 14, to 2pm on Thursday, November 17, Express.co.uk asked readers their thoughts on Mr Hancock’s appearance on I’m A Celebrity.
First, readers were asked: “Have you got a more positive opinion of Matt Hancock after I'm A Celebrity performance?” From the 3,521 votes cast, some 55 percent (1,941 people) answered “yes”, their opinion had improved, whereas 42 percent (1,496 people) said “no” they did not have a more positive opinion. A further three percent (84 people) said they did not know either way.
Many high-profile figures, like actress Miriam Margolyes, have spoken out on ITV’s decision to cast Mr Hancock. In an interview with The Six O’Clock Show in Ireland, this week, Ms Margolyes said: “What an appalling, adulterous creep. Why we have him on our televisions I don’t know.” She added: “I don’t know why he was thought a proper person to entertain.
“He’s a vile human being. He nearly destroyed our National Health Service. He sent loads of people with Covid, old ladies, back into their care homes. I think he’s a detestable, vile, puny individual.”
However, other readers were critical of his appearance on the show. Username Gilli Pepper said: “My opinion of him before the show was low and it certainly has not risen now.”
Similarly, username itsallgoingpetetong commented that they still had a low opinion of Mr Hancock and “nothing will change that”.
While username Michael Taylor said: “I'm sure his constituency is delighted that he's playing in an Australian jungle instead of representing their interests in Parliament.”
And username "." said: “ITV bosses should be sacked for even entertaining Hancock!”
A spokesman for Mr Hancock told The Independent this week: “By going on the show, Matt hopes to raise the profile of his dyslexia campaign and will use the platform to talk about an issue he really cares about in front of millions of people. Matt is determined that no child should leave primary school not knowing if they have dyslexia.”
Mr Hancock is among the favourites to win the show, with bookmaker oddschecker placing him in fourth with odds of 12/1, behind England footballer Jill Scott (5/4), former rugby star Mike Tindall (5/1) and Hollyoaks actor Owen Warner (11/4).
