Days after Matt Hancock sparked outrage by announcing his participation on the forthcoming season of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, insiders have revealed his reasons for taking the gig, and what he intends to do with his paycheck. Notably, the conservative MP’s earnings on the ITV reality show has caused quite a stir across media platforms amid speculations about how much it took to sign him on. An insider recently cleared the air, revealing the network paid Matt a whopping £400,000 for his stint.
This revelation further infuriated critics. Most insist he does not deserve such a big paycheck amid the prevailing scandal since his resignation as health secretary. Many have criticized ITV for going against their good judgement by recruiting someone whose behavior was under question. According to the source, the network not only recruited Matt Hancock, but also attempted to hide his actual paycheck. The insider divulged:
“ITV were keen for viewers to think the deal was worth around £150,000. But in reality, it’s over double that. They asked him to be on the show three times in a matter of weeks and the money definitely helped seal the deal.”
Critics have slammed the former Health Minister, who resigned after he was caught kissing his aide Gina Coladangelo, accusing him of profiting from his “shocking behavior.”
What Matt Hancock Would Do With His Paycheck
Notwithstanding the backlash, a spokesperson for Matt Hancock revealed he had huge plans for his paycheck. The star planned to use part of his earnings to support charitable causes dear to his heart. The rep divulged:
“Matt will be making a donation to St. Nicholas Hospice in Suffolk an causes supporting Dyslexia off the back of his appearance. He will also declare the amount he receives from the show to parliament to ensure complete transparency, as normal.”
Going further, the spokesperson noted that his appearance on I’m A Celebrity would give Matt Hancock a chance to engage with the public and discuss issues he cared about. While at it, he would partake in grueling activities, including the Squid Game-inspired task introduced this season. The show would allow him to communicate with his team in case an emergency arose in his constituency.
Matt Hancock would join DJ Chris Moyles, England football player Jill Scott and Loose Women’s Charlene White among other celebrities set to appear in the 2022 season of I’m A Celebrity. Notably, his huge pay of £400,000 would rank him among the highest-paid celebrities ever on the ITV series.
