Matt Hancock donates just £10k of £320k Im A Celeb fee to charity despite promise

Matt Hancock was paid £320,000 for his controversial appearance on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – and donated less than 5% of the money to charity, despite a promise made to constituents.

The former health secretary appeared on the show while parliament was sitting last Autumn and had the Conservative Party whip suspended for jetting off to Australia when he should have been focussing on his work as an MP.

At the time, Matt said he was going on I’m A Celebrity to “show what I am like as a person” as well as raising awareness of dyslexia.

He added: "And no, it wasn’t the cheque that changed my mind. I will be making a donation to St Nicholas Hospice in Suffolk and causes supporting dyslexia off the back of my appearance."

However, the release of the MP’s register of financial interests shows his I'm A Celeb pay packet was a whooping £320,000, while the Mirror has revealed the amount donated to charity is £10,000.

A spokesperson for the politician-turned-reality TV star told the publication: "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, off the back of his appearance on I'm A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here."

They are yet to comment on if more cash will make its way to charitable foundations.

Matt 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.


He was subjected to numerous punishing and disgusting tasks while taking part, including being made to eat a camel’s penis and being covered in creepy crawlies.

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.

The register also showed that he had been paid £48,000 for an interview and the serialisation of his book, Pandemic Diaries, in the Daily Mail and Mail On Sunday newspapers.

Matt's appearance on the ITV show was controversial and his decision prompted criticism from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and other top Tories, as well as mockery from some fellow MPs.

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

While in the jungle he also received a grilling from his campmates, including Culture Club singer Boy George and ITV broadcaster Charlene White, over his behaviour during the pandemic.

Matt resigned as health secretary for breaking social distancing guidance by kissing and embracing an aide in his office.

After leaving I’m A Celebrity, he announced that he would not be standing for the Conservatives at the next general election.

He said that he was “incredibly proud” of the party’s achievements in government but told Rishi Sunak that he had discovered new ways of connecting with the public and urged his party to “reconnect” with people.

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 24 September and 8 October, shortly before heading to Australia.

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

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