EXCLUSIVE: Matt Hancock’s ‘special treatment’ from I’m A Celeb: Ex-Health Secretary gets access to phone and laptop during isolation before heading into the jungle – while his co-stars have been stripped of tech
Matt Hancock could find himself in a fight with his ‘I’m A Celebrity’ housemates after receiving special treatment during his isolation period before entering the jungle.
The Chron can reveal that the former Health Secretary, 44, has been granted permission to use his phone to “keep working” as part of a deal with ITV bosses.
Mr Hancock, who lost the Tory whip last week when it was announced he was joining the show’s cast, also has access to his laptop.
He was even allowed to speak to his personal advisor via Zoom, despite his co-stars’ devices being confiscated and them being banned from contact with the outside world.
Matt Hancock could find himself in a fight with his ‘I’m A Celebrity’ housemates after receiving special treatment during his isolation period before entering the jungle
A source told the Chron: “Matt received a different arrangement than the other candidates during his isolation period. He got his phone and laptop so he can keep working and keep in touch with his constituents.”
The Mail revealed last week that Mr Hancock’s girlfriend Gina Coladangelo, 45, will fly to Australia to support his stay.
The source added, “The only option for the rest of the cast is to have a designated family member or friend from back home to get updates on their well-being via a companion.
“Some feel he was given preferential treatment before his time on the show, especially as stars like Charlene [White] found the isolation process extremely difficult and emotionally draining.’
The Chron can reveal that the former Health Secretary has been granted permission to use his phone to “keep working” as part of a deal with ITV bosses.
Mr Hancock’s special access could be a point of contention with his housemates, with ITV news anchor Miss White, 42, previously describing the quarantine process as “absolute torture”.
The Loose Women star, who struggled to hold back tears as she spoke ahead of Sunday night’s opening show, admitted she couldn’t look at photos of her two children – Alfie, five, and Florence, three – because they were looking at each other so longed for it much.
“I really tried not to look at her pictures because I know it’s going to make me very emotional,” she said.
Former Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles, 48, described isolating as “psychologically intriguing”.
Mr Hancock has been isolated at a top-secret location in Queensland, Australia, and is said to be under 24-hour surveillance.
He will perform at camp midweek alongside comedian and former Strictly star Seann Walsh, 36.
Mr Hancock’s special access could be a point of contention with his housemates, as ITV news anchor Miss White previously described the quarantine process as “absolute torture”.
Charlene, who struggled to hold back tears as she spoke ahead of Sunday night’s opening show, admitted she couldn’t look at photos of her two children because she longed for them so much
The former Health Secretary said he signed on to the popular ITV series to raise awareness of dyslexia.
He has vowed to donate part of his fee to charities supporting the cause.
Last week The Sun claimed Mr Hancock could tease his future housemates by being greedy for food.
He reportedly irritated his SAS: Who Dares Wins co-stars about his “selfish” eating habits during meals on the Channel 4 series.
A source said: “It was clear he wasn’t a team player. Matt takes care of number one first, and he’ll annoy his I’m A Celebrity cast by doing the same in the jungle.”
A spokesman for Mr Hancock said: “Matt has no personal phone at all and any laptop access is for constituency and Zoom work purposes only during quarantine.
“Matt doesn’t have general internet access. It has been agreed that Matt will be briefed on any urgent constituency matters.’
The Mail revealed last week that Mr Hancock’s girlfriend Gina Coladangelo will be flying to Australia to support his stay in the jungle