James Argent has revealed he slept next to Matt Hancock on season five of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
The former TOWIE star, 35, and the West Suffolk MP, 44, appeared on the grueling Channel 4 show in which they try to survive the unforgiving jungle in Thung Ui, northern Vietnam.
During an appearance on This Morning on Tuesday, James told hosts Holly Willoughby, 42, and Josie Gibson, 38, what it was like spending time with Matt.
He said, “I actually slept next to Matt.” I think I had to take everyone at face value and give them the opportunity to try to get to know them all.
“I got along quite well with Matt.” He really took it seriously and gave it 110%. He couldn’t try any harder, he did very, very well.’
James Argent has revealed he slept next to Matt Hancock on season five of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins
Brutal: The former TOWIE star, 35, and the West Suffolk MP, 44, appeared on the grueling Channel 4 show as they attempt to survive the unforgiving jungle in Thung Ui, northern Vietnam
Elsewhere, James added: “I had seen the show but never dreamed of taking part in it. “This year I was able to pass the medical exam and give it a go.”
He further explained: “There is a WhatsApp group.” They seem to have developed a good bond with each other since the show.
“I think I got on their nerves a little bit. Whenever I type a message, no one responds. I think they all meet up and stuff.
“I was one of those people who showed up without a full water bottle, which resulted in other people having to do burpees and push-ups.” Sometimes I showed up without a belt and my bag didn’t have a certain weight.
“I think I drove people a little crazy, but it was a great experience.”
Matt, James and 14 other celebrities endured one of the toughest experiences of their lives when they traveled to Thung Ui in northern Vietnam to go through the toughest stages of SAS selection.
Across seven hour-long episodes, famous faces including Michelle Heaton, Danielle Lloyd and Gareth Gates will attempt to survive the unforgiving jungle.
The show, which returns to screens on September 26, will also star Siva Kaneswaran, The Wanted’s Melinda Messenger, footballer Jermaine Pennant, Gareth Thomas and reality stars James “Arg”, Amber Turner and Montana Brown .
Other stars in the group include Love Island’s Teddy Soares, Amber Turner, comedian Zoe Lyons, Kirsty-Leigh Porter, Olympian Perri Shakes-Drayton and Paralympian Jon-Allan Butterworth.
Truth be told: During an appearance on This Morning on Tuesday, James told hosts Holly Willoughby, 42, and Josie Gibson, 38, what it was like spending time with Matt
James said: “I actually slept next to Matt. “I think I had to take everyone at face value and give them the opportunity to get to know them.”
Elsewhere, James added: “I had seen the show but never dreamed of taking part in it. “This year I was able to pass the medical exam and give it a go.”
This comes after Matt said his physical and mental toughness was “tested to the limit almost every minute of every day” during his time on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
The MP said he came closest to quitting the grueling program after “breaking a rib” during the jungle phase of the SAS selection.
He said: “I was determined to carry on so I just kept my mouth shut so I wouldn’t be medically discharged.”
Mr Hancock, who will appear on the Channel 4 show alongside 15 other recruits, previously said he wanted to push himself to the limit after enduring a “challenging period as health secretary during the pandemic”.
He served as health minister for nearly three years but resigned in June 2021 after it emerged he had violated his own Covid-19 guidelines by kissing and hugging adviser Gina Coladangelo in his office.
The keen adventurer, who has been a fan of the SAS series “for years”, said he was in “pretty good shape” ahead of the show, having completed a 100-mile hike on Mont Blanc and an “intense fitness regime”. .
But he said: “Being in SAS was like nothing else… it’s one of the hardest physical things I’ve ever done and it really opens your eyes and makes you really look inside yourself.”
The show returns to television screens on Tuesday with head coach Mark “Billy” Billingham and his directing staff (DS) Jason “Foxy” Fox, Rudy Reyes and Chris Oliver.
Injury: Matt said his physical and mental toughness was “tested to the limit almost every minute of the day” during his time on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins (pictured on the show).
Wrestling: The MP said he came closest to quitting the grueling program after ‘breaking my rib’ during the jungle phase of the SAS selection in Thung Ui, North Vietnam (Matt pictured during one of the show’s challenges )
TOWIE’s Amber Turner, former Love Island contestants Montana Brown and Teddy Sears, singer Gareth Gates and model Melinda Messenger are some of the other recruits taking part
Mr Hancock said he had dealt with antagonistic British media throughout his career, but the SAS management “pushed me down, especially at the start”.
“They push you the button to get ascension, and then they show you the consequence of that, and so you learn not to do it,” he said.
“It’s part of the training, and actually it’s a really important lesson in life to not be too arrogant when you try.” I didn’t feel like I struggled with it.
“I don’t know if it comes across, but I don’t like to tolerate fools.” “They’re definitely not fools and I had respect for what they did.”
When asked to compare his experience to standing in front of the British press, he said: “I’m used to dealing with some pretty aggressive new signings, but the DS were something different.”
Mr Hancock described a “real relationship” with the other recruits, who include singer Gareth Gates, Olympian Perri Shakes-Drayton and former England footballer Jermaine Pennant – who he was due to fight as a fighter in the first episode.
Of the fight, the MP said: “I was relieved that I wasn’t matched with an even bigger person or a woman.”
Former rugby player Gareth Thomas, singer Siva Kaneswaran, Liberty X star Michelle Heaton and athlete Perri Shakes-Drayton are also in the squad
But I thought, this is a bad moment. “Actually, it didn’t hurt nearly as much as I expected when I got hit in the face.”
“The courage that some people showed by persevering, especially when there were unequal struggles.”
Mr Hancock, who is famous for his appearance on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! who lost the Tory whip, described the reality shows as “very different” but “both tested my resilience”.
He said: “There wasn’t much to do in the Australian jungle, so I always looked forward to the tasks.”
“The opposite was the case at SAS, where your physical and mental toughness was tested almost every minute of the day. “Sitting was a luxury.”
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins airs on Tuesday September 26 at 9.30pm on Channel 4
