Last year, Matt Hancock swapped the Houses of Parliament for the jungle, when he appeared on the ITV reality TV show I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here.
The former health secretary and I’m A Celebrity… campmate has recently been on our screens again in, in realtiy competition show Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
The MP previously lost the Tory whip over his appearance on I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here.
But, with his latest appearance, will he be allowed to keep his day job? Here is everything we know.
What has Matt Hancock been doing lately?
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins began on Channel 4 on Tuesday (September 26) and viewers have already seen Matt Hancock punched in the face in the first episode.
The former health secretary was pitted against former footballer Jermaine Pennant in a boxing clash, with the two striking each other in the head.
Hancock was one of 16 celebrities who took on gruelling challenges in the jungles of north Vietnam. Gareth Gates, Melinda Messenger, and James Argent are among the other names who faced tasks set by ex-special forces officers.
Hancock has even spoken about his experience on the show.
He said: “Being on SAS was like nothing else I’ve ever experienced. It’s one of the toughest physical and mental things I’ve ever done. It really opens your eyes and makes you look into yourself.
“After coming through the most challenging period as health secretary during the pandemic, I wanted to push my limits.”
Is he still an MP?
At present, yes. But it seems he will not be for long.
Matt Hancock announced at the start of the year that he will not stand for the Conservatives at the next general election.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, he told Rishi Sunak: “It has been an honour to serve in Parliament and represent the people of West Suffolk.
“I will play my part in the debate about the future of our country and engage with the public in new ways.”
In the letter, Mr Hancock said that the Conservative Chief Whip had told him that the whip would be restored “in due course”.
But the MP said that would be “now not necessary” and that he wants to “do things differently”.
He said that he was “incredibly proud” of the Conservatives’ achievements in government but told Mr Sunak that he had discovered new ways of connecting with the public and urged his party to “reconnect” with people.
“There was a time when I thought the only way to influence the public debate was in Parliament, but I’ve realised there’s far more to it than that.
“I have increasingly come to believe that for a healthy democracy we must find new ways to reach people — especially those who are disengaged with politics. The revival of modern conservatism over the next decade will I suspect take place as much outside Parliament as in it.
“I have discovered a whole new world of possibilities which I am excited to explore — new ways for me to communicate with people of all ages and from all backgrounds.”
