Matt Hancock 'underestimated' I'm A Celebrity backlash, says Gina
Matt Hancock’s girlfriend Gina Coladangelo admits ex-Health Secretary had ‘underestimated’ the scale of backlash he would face for going into the I’m a Celebrity jungle
- Ex health secretary came third in the series finale on Sunday, with 21.7% of vote
- In episode of The Coming Out Show he’s seen with his partner, Gina Coladangelo
- Revealed her last words to him were ‘be the Matt I know and it’ll go really well’
Matt Hancock ‘underestimated’ the scale of the backlash at his decision to star on I’m A Celebrity, his girlfriend Gina Coladangelo will say today.
The former health secretary, 44, whose stint in the Australian jungle prompted criticism from the Prime Minister and MPs across the political spectrum, came third during the series finale on Sunday, claiming 21.7% of the initial public vote.
This placed him behind former England footballer Jill Scott in first place and Hollyoaks actor Owen Warner as runner-up. During the post-series Coming Out Show today, he will be seen exiting the campsite to be reunited with his partner and attending a wrap party.
The episode also sees Ms Coladangelo saying: ‘I think it’s fair to say that Matt underestimated the scale of the reaction to him coming into the jungle.
Matt Hancock is reunited with his partner, Gina Coladangelo. Later today he will be seen with her at an after show party
‘He’s made of tough stuff, this summer we trekked around Mont Blanc together in four days.
‘My last words to him were just be yourself, be the Matt I know and it’ll go really well.’
Mr Hancock resigned as health secretary in June last year after he was caught breaking Covid social distancing rules while having an affair with Ms Coladangelo, then his aide, in his ministerial office.
Driving to the production site, he is seen asking her: ‘Of course I’m curious as to how it’s gone, was I authentically me?’
Ms Coladangelo replies: ‘It took a few days, I felt, for you to relax.
Mr Hancock adds: ‘When I was being grilled in the early days, I felt like people were asking me on behalf of the British public.
‘I knew going in it would be controversial but I also know millions of people have voted for me.’
Culture Club singer Boy George had a fractious relationship with Mr Hancock on the show
Upon leaving the Australian jungle, Matt was reunited with his girlfriend and the pair shared a close embrace and kiss on the iconic bridge
Mr Hancock also breaks into an Ed Sheeran song, much to her embarrassment.
After being reunited with friends and family at a hotel outside camp, Ms Coladangelo introduces herself to Boy George, who had a fractious relationship with Mr Hancock on the show.
The Culture Club frontman tells her: ‘It’s all cool love, we got on in the end.’
The special episode will also show the moments after each contestant was eliminated from camp and reunited with friends and family.
ITV broadcaster Charlene White, who was first out, is seen being greeted by her sister Carina and calling their father who tells them he thought Mr Hancock would be the first person voted out by the public.
White replies: ‘It turns out I’m less popular than Matt Hancock, dad. Who knew?’
Comedian Seann Walsh’s exit from the camp sees him greeted by his pregnant partner Grace, who shows him her growing bump to his delight.
He tells her: ‘All I could think about in there was you and coffee’ before heading to the catering tent for a full English breakfast.
Finalists: Matt was beaten only by Jill and Owen to first and second place respectively, with the Lioness being crowned as the 2022 Queen of the Jungle
Former England rugby player Mike Tindall’s exit sees him greeted by his wife Zara, the Queen’s granddaughter, and they embrace on the bridge.
‘It’s been a long few weeks, the kids have missed him so it’ll be nice to get him out,’ she says.
Co-hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly ask if his budgie smuggler swimming shorts are a ‘regular occurrence’ in their home life, which she confirms prompting laughter.
On the car journey to the hotel, Tindall refers to soap actress Sue Cleaver as he says: ‘I’m sorry I had a camp wife in there but she was brilliant’ to which Zara jokingly responds, ‘Cheating on me.’
They are greeted by radio DJ Chris Moyles carrying a bucket of beers who tells Zara, ‘I looked after him for you in there’ with her replying, ‘Did you enjoy his spooning and his hugs?’
Asked how he feels to be back with his wife, Tindall says: ‘It’s just too much, let’s never do this again.’
Reflecting on her win, football star Scott says: ‘The aim was never to be Queen of the jungle, just to complete the journey.
‘I still can’t believe it, it’s going to take a while for it to sink in.’
- The Coming Out Show airs today at 9.15pm on ITV and ITV Hub.
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