Reality TV has always been very popular, with gritty episodes of Big Brother showcasing celebrities screaming at each other or celebrities break-dancing on Strictly.
However, in recent times, the term ‘celebrity’ now seems to have changed.
We all know what a celebrity consists of on reality TV: Drama? Entertainment? Sure. But now…Members of Parliament?
It is not uncommon to be shocked by newcomers on TV shows.
Usually, the shock comes from excitement at how the new season ought to be better than the last.
Evidently with ITV’s long-running hit ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’, the yucky challenges have not stopped viewers from watching.
This season, producers have created more anticipation than normal.
Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock recently announced that he will appear on I’m a Celeb.
As expected, there have been mixed opinions on Hancock’s decision due to his profession as a Member of Parliament.
Hancock has since been suspended from the Conservative Party for his decision.
The Conservative MP had stepped down as Health Secretary last year after breaching social distance rules and has not had it easy since.
Over the last year, Hancock has received criticism over the breach and has since tried to gain the trust of the people.
In June 2021, he resigned, with his resignation letter to the then-former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, stating “I owe it to the people.”
Matt Hancock’s sudden appearance on ITV can be looked at from a positive perspective.
It could be seen as a way for him to ‘move on’ from the catastrophe of last year, possibly portraying himself in a new light.
Despite this, many have not found the MP’s arrival on the show amusing. In reality, he may struggle to regain the trust of the people.
This was made very clear by Loose Women presenter Denise Welch, who last week slammed the 44-year-old for his decision.
Welch said: “We are still suffering the repercussions of what happened over the last few years.
“Hancock was at the forefront of these.
“My dad died of pneumonia, but I wasn’t allowed to see him at certain times”.
Sadly, I have to agree with Welch. I too had family members who could not be visited due to restrictions created by the MP himself. As did many others.
It is safe to say that the UK has had a very tough time in the last few years.
The former Health Secretary is not the first MP to be on the reality TV show. In 2012, Bedfordshire MP Nadine Dorries went into the jungle. Dorries did not last long in the programme and was eventually voted out.
To make matters worse for Dorries, she was suspended by the Conservative Party for her decision and not declaring how much she was being paid by the show.
So, is Matt Hancock really to blame for this exciting new endeavour?
Although the MP’s situations are somewhat similar, it has been reported that Matt Hancock is to be paid £400,000 for his appearance on the show.
This is a substantial amount more than Nadine Dorries’ £82,000 that she was paid for her appearance.
In all fairness, the 44-year-old clearly wants to make a conscious effort to redeem himself to the public. Since the figure was released, he has stated that a ‘’chunk of the profits made will be donated to charity.”
A spokesperson for the MP told Hello-magazine: “Donations will be made to St Nicholas Hospice in Suffolk”.
This is definitely a generous act from Hancock. So, is it really such a bad thing that the former Health Secretary wants to make an appearance on the show?
Ratings will surely be high this season, and it’s fair to assume that the MP will be made to eat some truly gruesome things.
In my opinion, I think out of respect for his bravery for going on the show, it is only fair that we all watch. I know I will.
It would not hurt to see him eat a worm…or two.
Feature Image Credit: The Independent YouTube.