Entertainment
I’m A Celebrity hit with almost 2,000 Ofcom complaints over Matt Hancock in jungle-Alicia Adejobi-Entertainment – Metro
Much of the complaints were about Matt Hancock (Picture: Rex Features)
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here was met with close to 2,000 Ofcom complaints after allowing Matt Hancock to enter the jungle.
The disgraced MP, who quit as Health Secretary last year after being caught having an affair with an aide, made his debut on the series last week alongside comedian Seann Walsh.
However, his arrival was met with backlash across the country and from his fellow campmates, who challenged the politician about his motives for going on the ITV reality series.
Ofcom has now confirmed that the majority of complainants, around 1,100, objected to former health secretary Matt Hancock’s presence in the Australian jungle. Other viewers expressed concerns about how the MP was being treated by the other contestants leading to a total of 1,968.
These complaints were made between November 8, the day it was confirmed Hancock was going into the jungle, and November 14.
A statement from Ofcom said: ‘It’s worth being aware that under our rules, in principle – and taking into account freedom of expression – there’s no ban on any particular person taking part in programmes.
Hancock has become one of the most controversial celebrities in I’m A Celebrity history in light of his political scandal (Picture: Rex Features)
Hancock has thrown himself into the challenges, impressing most of his campmates (Picture: Rex Features)
‘However, if the mere presence of a person is likely to cause offence, we would expect broadcasters to take steps to mitigate or justify that offence.
‘How they do that editorially, is up to them.’
Hancock, 44, has thrown himself into the Bushtucker Trials after being voted to take part in the gruesome challenges a staggering six times by the public.
These have included being splashed with slurry, coming face-to-face with spiders and snakes and forced to eat animal parts.
In one challenge, he became hero of the camp after bringing back 11 stars so they could each enjoy dinner.
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However, his presence has been met with scrutiny with Loose Women presenter Charlene White not hesitating to grill Hancock on his intentions with appearing on the show.
Shortly after entering the jungle, the MP explained: ‘So the pandemic as a whole no, I’m much, much more robust in my defence of it.’
He later added to Charlene: ‘Do you know what it is actually, what I’m really looking for is a bit of forgiveness, that’s what I’m really looking for.’
The pair also put their differences aside and hugged after he told the rest of the campmates: ‘We all make mistakes. I made a pretty big one.’
Many have criticised Hancock for leaving his constituents in West Suffolk, with Piers Morgan saying on his Uncensored programme: ‘He’s been filmed eating camel penis, cow’s anus, and a sheep’s vagina, apparently all in the name of promoting dyslexia awareness.’
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‘Yeah, right,’ he scoffed, saying it was ‘all about promoting himself’ and gaining a large cheque for his appearance.
Hancock could be up for the public vote this week and his girlfriend Gina Coladangelo, who he was seen kissing breaking his own Covid rules, spotted at the airport on her way to meet him in case he’s booted out.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here returns tonight at 9pm on ITV1.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Chris Kamara calls Matt Hancock critics to ‘cut him some slack’ on I’m A Celebrity: ‘He’s given it his all’
MORE : Ant McPartlin mocks Chris Moyles as he fumbles through I’m A Celebrity bushtucker trial
Much of the complaints were about Matt Hancock (Picture: Rex Features)
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here was met with close to 2,000 Ofcom complaints after allowing Matt Hancock to enter the jungle.
The disgraced MP, who quit as Health Secretary last year after being caught having an affair with an aide, made his debut on the series last week alongside comedian Seann Walsh.
However, his arrival was met with backlash across the country and from his fellow campmates, who challenged the politician about his motives for going on the ITV reality series.
Ofcom has now confirmed that the majority of complainants, around 1,100, objected to former health secretary Matt Hancock’s presence in the Australian jungle. Other viewers expressed concerns about how the MP was being treated by the other contestants leading to a total of 1,968.
These complaints were made between November 8, the day it was confirmed Hancock was going into the jungle, and November 14.
A statement from Ofcom said: ‘It’s worth being aware that under our rules, in principle – and taking into account freedom of expression – there’s no ban on any particular person taking part in programmes.
Hancock has become one of the most controversial celebrities in I’m A Celebrity history in light of his political scandal (Picture: Rex Features)
Hancock has thrown himself into the challenges, impressing most of his campmates (Picture: Rex Features)
‘However, if the mere presence of a person is likely to cause offence, we would expect broadcasters to take steps to mitigate or justify that offence.
‘How they do that editorially, is up to them.’
Hancock, 44, has thrown himself into the Bushtucker Trials after being voted to take part in the gruesome challenges a staggering six times by the public.
These have included being splashed with slurry, coming face-to-face with spiders and snakes and forced to eat animal parts.
In one challenge, he became hero of the camp after bringing back 11 stars so they could each enjoy dinner.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
However, his presence has been met with scrutiny with Loose Women presenter Charlene White not hesitating to grill Hancock on his intentions with appearing on the show.
Shortly after entering the jungle, the MP explained: ‘So the pandemic as a whole no, I’m much, much more robust in my defence of it.’
He later added to Charlene: ‘Do you know what it is actually, what I’m really looking for is a bit of forgiveness, that’s what I’m really looking for.’
The pair also put their differences aside and hugged after he told the rest of the campmates: ‘We all make mistakes. I made a pretty big one.’
Many have criticised Hancock for leaving his constituents in West Suffolk, with Piers Morgan saying on his Uncensored programme: ‘He’s been filmed eating camel penis, cow’s anus, and a sheep’s vagina, apparently all in the name of promoting dyslexia awareness.’
‘Yeah, right,’ he scoffed, saying it was ‘all about promoting himself’ and gaining a large cheque for his appearance.
Hancock could be up for the public vote this week and his girlfriend Gina Coladangelo, who he was seen kissing breaking his own Covid rules, spotted at the airport on her way to meet him in case he’s booted out.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here returns tonight at 9pm on ITV1.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Ant McPartlin mocks Chris Moyles as he fumbles through I’m A Celebrity bushtucker trial
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