Babatunde Aleshe calls out Matt Hancock over kissing scandal on I’m a Celeb: ‘You were grabbing booty bruv!’

Hancock said there was ‘no excuse’ for his actions but that he ‘fell in love’

Annabel Nugent
Thursday 10 November 2022 21:42 GMT
Comments
Matt Hancock sings Ed Sheeran on I'm a Celebrity

Support truly
independent journalism

Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.

Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.

Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.

Louise Thomas

Louise Thomas

Editor

Matt Hancock has said there is “no excuse” for his actions during the pandemic but that he “fell in love”.

The former health secretary made his controversial debut on I’m a Celebrity on Wednesday (9 November). His arrival was met with tears from fellow campmate Boy George.

Hancock discussed his controversial past in politics with fellow campmate Babatunde Aleshe.

As former health secretary, Hancock was one of the faces plastered all over the newspapers during the pandemic.

He was criticised over elements of the government’s response to Covid, and in June 2021, found himself publicly disgraced after admitting to violating his own social distancing rules when his affair with aide Gina Coladangelo was exposed.

Asked “how have things been” by Aleshe, Hancock replied: “It was really tough.”

Aleshe said: “Because you messed up,” to which the politician said: “I messed up and I fessed up. I resigned and it’s no excuse but I fell in love, right? That also had a lot of other consequences obviously.”

The comedian then joked: “You didn’t just ‘fell in love’ you were grabbing booty bruv!”

Matt Hancock is taking part in the new series of I’m a Celeb
Matt Hancock is taking part in the new series of I’m a Celeb (Getty Images)

Hancock responded: “Oh give over,” causing Aleshe to laugh and apologise.

He said that things had been “hard”, adding that: “I obviously brought it on myself, so yeah… it’s been tough.”

Hancock went on to say that he is “very much” still together with Coladangelo, stating that the best thing about being kicked out of the series would be getting the chance to see her.

Matt Hancock
Matt Hancock (PA Archive)

Aleshe concluded the conversation by telling Hancock: “Look man, I don’t judge you bruv. I may take the piss out of you.”

Hancock’s arrival has ruffled feathers, even bringing Boy George to tears.

Earlier in the episode, Scarlette Douglas told the politician that his actions were “a slap in the face” to the people of the UK.

You can follow along with live updates from the episode here.

I’m a Celebrity airs at 9pm on ITV.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in