Matt Hancock's eye-watering paycheque for I'm A Celebrity revealed

Matt Hancock finished third in I'm A Celebrity... in November
Matt Hancock finished third in I'm A Celebrity... in November
ITV
Dan Falvey

By Dan Falvey


Published: 27/01/2023

- 11:04

Updated: 14/11/2023

- 14:16

More than 1,000 complaints were made to broadcasting watchdog Ofcom over his participation

Matt Hancock was paid £320,000 for appearing on the ITV series I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

The former Conservative minister's fee as published as part of the MP’s register of financial interests.


He had previously promised that he would make a donation of “more than his MPs’ salary” to charity for the appearance.

Matt Hancock promised to give money to charity
Matt Hancock promised to give money to charity
ITV

However, it has now emerged that just three per cent of the earnings, £10,000, was donated. MPs receive an annual income of £84,144.

A spokesman for the West Suffolk representative said: "As well as raising the profile of his dyslexia campaign in front of 11 million viewers, Matt’s donated £10,000 to St Nicholas Hospice in Suffolk and the British Dyslexia Association."

Records on the MP’s register showed that on December 14 2022, the West Suffolk MP received £320,000 from Lifted Entertainment, ITV Studios, for the appearance, which lasted 30 days – a total of 720 hours.

While the TV show was only on air for three weeks, Hancock was in Australia ahead of the live shows for other elements of filming.

He emerged from the Australian jungle in third place behind actor Owen Warner and England professional footballer Jill Scott, following the show’s conclusion in November.

The MPs appearance on the show was controversial, with many critical of him for taking part while Parliament was sitting.

More than 1,000 complaints were made to broadcasting watchdog Ofcom over his participation.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also criticised his appearance, saying he was "disappointed" in his former Cabinet colleague.

He said at the time: "It is incumbent on all members of parliament to do the things that earn people's respect and that's serving your constituents really well, making a difference to them in surgeries.

Matt Hancock announced he would stand down as an MP following his appearance on the show
Matt Hancock announced he would stand down as an MP following his appearance on the show
ITV

"It is how you conduct yourself - everyone is going to do it in a slightly different way - but I think it's important that we have our constituents and our country and the forefront of what we do when we go around our day-to-day lives."

Hancock was suspended from the Conservative parliamentary party as a result of his appearance.

He has since announced he intends to stand down as an MP at the next election.

It was previously revealed that Hancock had also earned £45,000 for taking part in Channel 4’s Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.

A previous register entry revealed he spent 80 hours filming the programme while Parliament was in recess between September 24 and October 8, shortly before heading to Australia.

His appearance on the Channel 4 show is expected to air later this year.

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