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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
John Bett

Politicians' reality TV embarrassment - nauseating cat impression and locked in coffin

Disgraced politician Matt Hancock has touched down in Australia ahead of his appearance on ITV's I'm a Celebrity, and he's already faced calls for him to quit as an MP.

The 44-year-old Conservative MP, who will join the 10 celebrities and battle bushtucker trials, has been suspended from the Tory whip with immediate effect shortly after it emerged he signed up for the show.

There's also been a lot of backlash over the news from the public, with his latest venture sparking outrage. But he's not the first politician to think that reality TV could save his career, so here we take a look at some memorable moments.

George Galloway appeared on Big Brother (Kent News & Pictures Ltd.)

What do you think about politicians appearing on reality TV? Let us know in the comments...

George Galloway's nauseating cat impression on Big Brother

Big Brother had one of the cringiest moments in its history when George Galloway, then MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, launched into a cat impression, licking milk out of a pretend bowl and purring.

Galloway was an MP when he appeared on the show and performed the bizarre impression with his housemate Rula Lensky.

The impression was as part of a task where he would win treats for the house, but his and Rula's antics came across as strangely sexual and creeped out the whole nation.

He asked Rula: "Now, would you like me to be the cat?"

He then crawled around on all fours and pretended to purr while Rula stroked his face and said "here pussycat," in a soothing voice.

Rula mimed pouring milk into a saucer and holding it out for Galloway, who buried his face in Rula's hands and pretended to lap it up.

"Good girl," said Rula, wiping his face while George licked his lips.

Rula then cradled Galloway's head as he lay down in her lap while she said" Good pussycat, that's better."

He purred as she stroked his hair and asked: "Has it been a trying day with all those people coming in? You don't like it when lots of people come in, do you?

"You just like being at home with your mummy, don't you?" she asked him.

Rula later revealed she did not have any idea Galloway would get so into the impression, and he was shocked when he saw the headlines and the scandal that had ensued for his creepy moment.

Nadine Dorries had to chew anus when she appeared on I'm a Celeb (I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!/ Youtube)

Nadine Dorries ate anus and camel toe in humiliating ordeal

Nadine Dorries, the former Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has become famous for a number of hilarious gaffes and awkward blunders.

But none of them compare to what she went through during her short stint on I'm A Celebrity back in 2012, when she took time off from parliament to enter the Australian jungle.

The Mid Bedfordshire MP, who was the first serving MP to take part in the reality TV show, faced a barrage of criticism from within the Conservative party.

Dorries was suspended from the party whip by chief whip, Sir George Young, and her constituency chairman also said he had been unaware of her involvement in the popular series.

Labour branded the Tory MP "shameless" over her decision to go Down Under, but Dorries tried to justify it by claiming she would use the platform to discuss issues.

Speaking at the time, she told the Sun: "I'm doing the show because 16 million people watch it. If people are watching I'm A Celebrity, that is where MPs should be going. I'm not going in there to upset people, but I have opinions."

When Labour accused the David Cameron, Prime Minister at the time, of showing weak leadership, he replied: "Nadine Dorries can speak for herself on this issue."

Nadine only lasted for 12 days before being evicted from the jungle (ITV/Rex)

While Theresa May, who was Home Secretary at the time, said: "Frankly, I think an MP's job is in their constituency and in the House of Commons."

Nadine was voted to take part in the first two Bushtucker Trials by the public alongside former Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan.

The first one, Bug Burial, involved the pair surviving 10 minutes underground with jungle creatures in a locked coffin.

Helen only managed five seconds, while Nadine stayed in for four minutes but it was not long enough to win any food for her camp.

The following day, the pair went head to head in stomach-churning eating challenge Rotten Rhymes, which left the politician retching at one stage as she tried to swallow a rotten egg.

Presenters Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly couldn't hide their joy as they watched the MP struggling with her meals and pulling some strange faces in the process.

Dorries gobbled down a baked spider, an ostrich anus, lamb testicle and a camel toe but failed to chow down on the femented duck egg and spat it out.

"It's impossible to chew," said Nadine before she started gagging on the camel toe, prompting fears she would be sick.

After doing enough to win the trial, Dorries admitted: "I feel sick as a dog."

She was urged to quit her job after the appearance, but she made a political comeback (ITV)

Nadine only lasted 12 days in the jungle as she was the first contestant to be given the boot, telling Ant and Dec it was a "fascinating experience".

"I actually came here self-important for a few days - but I'm not now," she explained.

"I needed that missile and I think all MPs need that. I came from a council estate and never thought I was like that, but I was. I'm not now."

When asked if she felt she had achieved her aim in raising awareness of issues, she said: "I don't know what people have seen, but I have had some fascinating conversations in there. It's been a fascinating experience.

"I think it is important that MPs realise that you need to go where the public go. More people vote on X Factor and I'm A Celebrity than they do in the general elections. MPs need to go where people vote."

Dorries sat as an independent MP but did manage to regain the Conservative whip in May 2013 - even though George Osborne reportedly objected.

When Johnson became Prime Minister in July 2019, Dorries was appointed as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and Patient Safety.

Nadine isn't the only one to appear on reality TV, so did Penny Mordaunt (AFP via Getty Images)

In May 2020 she was promoted to Minister of State for Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and Patient Safety before getting her current role as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport last September.

But her time in the jungle still comes back to haunt her, with Tory backbencher William Wragg MP mocking her in the House of Commons last month.

The pair had beef after Wragg announced he was one of a handful of MPs who called for a no-confidence vote on Johnson's leadership.

Dorries said: "It is just attention-seeking behaviour from William Wragg who has been a constant critic of the prime minister, who delivered us the greatest majority since Margaret Thatcher."

However, he got his revenge in front of the entire House by saying: "I presume Nadine Dorries was wheeled out for the nations entertainment, rather than it’s edification… it was quite astonishing."

Penny Mordaunt's flop on The Splash

The 49-year-old became Leader of the House of Commons under Liz Truss ' brief Government, and previously she was a ministerial disability champion, Minister of State for Trade Policy, and has been an MP for Portsmouth North since 2010.

Penny Mordaunt flopped on The Splash (PA)
Penny was once voted 'Britain's sexiest MP' (PA)

Politics aside, Penny, who was named after a Navy ship, might be best known for taking part in Tom Daley’s Saturday night diving show Splash! in 2014.

Speaking to the Mirror at the time, she said: "I have the elegance and drive of a paving slab, but my navy training has certainly given me the guts to take on the challenge head-on.

"Not only is Splash! a great personal development experience but it also seemed like the perfect way to fundraise for a charity I'm very passionate about - the Hilsea Lido in Portsmouth which is being renovated by the community. I will be donating my fee for the programme to assist with the renovations."

She gave away the reported £10,000 appearance fee, with £7,000 going towards the renovation of her local lido while the rest went to four Forces charities.

Ed Balls unexpected Strictly success

Former Labour MP Ed Balls was the most polarising figure on Strictly when he appeared on the show in 2016 despite his lack of technical prowess on the ballroom floor.

There were highs and lows - including his rendition of the Gangnam style dance that went down a storm with viewers and made him a contender for the trophy.

Ed Balls became an unlikely success on Strictly (Press Association Images)

Head judge Len said: "I don't think there's words in the dictionary to describe that. There is always a sense of anticipation, far more than any other couple, when you come on stage. It is so entertaining."

He won over more fans during Halloween week, when viewers labelled him a "male Beyonce " after he gyrated to the cha cha and scored high with fans.

Ed is a rare example of when an appearance on reality TV has gone well for a politician, and surely Mr Hancock will now be hoping to follow in his intricate footsteps.

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