The news that Matt Hancock joined the line-up of I’m a Celebrity Get me Out of Here caused a massive reaction on social media.
PM Rishi Sunak told the BBC that Mr Hancock’s decision to appear on I’m a Celebrity was ‘disappointing’.
Whether you agree with his decision or not. Matt Hancock is not the only politician to join a celebrity line-up for a television show. In fact, a handful of MPs have tried reality TV, and it hasn’t done them any harm.
In 2012, Nadine Dorries also took part in I’m a Celebrity 2012. Like Matt Hancock, she was suspended as Conservative MP for her decision to head to Australia. Despite being the first contestant to be voted out of the show that year, Nadine went on to be appointed as Minister of State for Health and Social Care, and from 2021-2022 she was Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Her appearance on the show seems to have helped her achieve higher roles within the party. Perhaps Matt Hancock is hoping for a similar fate.
One of the front runners in the last two tory leadership contests, Penny Mordaunt, appeared on the ITV series Splash in 2014, which saw celebrities learn diving. Olympic gold medallist Tom Daley appeared as a mentor on the show. Mordaunt defended her appearance, stating that she had donated her £10,000 appearance fee and any additional sponsorship to charity. The stint did not ruin her future either. Mordaunt was appointed Secretary of State for Defence in 2019 and is now the Leader of the House of Commons.
Former Labour MP Ed Ball appeared as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016. His ‘Gangnam Style’ salsa was described as a “national moment” by the BBC Director General at the time, Lord Tony Hall. Since taking to the Strictly dancefloor, Ed Balls has also appeared on Mary Berry’s Celebrity Best Home Cook. So, Ed has made a name for himself outside of politics.
It is safe to say that Matt Hancock has received a bashing for his decision to join the I’m a Celeb line-up. But was the decision a stroke of idiocy or part of a strategic plan to get himself on the right side of the general public and back into the Cabinet? Perhaps Mr Hancock hopes to make a name for himself like Ed Balls.
In an article for the Sun, Matt Hancock defended his decision to enter the jungle stating: “it is a great opportunity to talk directly to people who aren’t interested in politics”.
However, I question whether MPs are ‘celebrities’ and eligible to take part in these reality programs. Are they celebrities or simply high-profile public servants?
Politicians are involved in the decision-making, which affects so many across the country. Some of these decisions have negative impacts after their implementation, and there is something insensitive about the man who was Health Secretary during the COVID-19 pandemic presenting himself as public entertainment.
The announcement of Matt Hancock’s appearance on I’m a Celeb has drawn many to watch the show out of curiosity. On Sunday, nine million viewers tuned in to watch the program to be disappointed to hear that the politician would not appear in the first episode of the series.
But by utilising the programme to get to the people who aren’t interested in politics, the former Health Secretary is in danger of politicising television entertainment.
While bias is unavoidable in creative screenwriting, this should be with a wink and a nudge towards the issue intended to highlight. Matt Hancock is openly using the programme to discuss his political views.
Entertainment should not be a campaigning tool. The medium is at its best when it is light-hearted, relaxing and kept away from politics.
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