Hancock opens up on I’m A Celeb ‘bullying’ & dealings with Boy George

MATT Hancock has revealed what he really thought of his fellow I’m a Celeb contestants – and the truth behind his relationship with Boy George.

The former Health Secretary has said he did not feel “bullied” by his campmates on the ITV show after he faced a grilling over his behaviour during the pandemic.

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Hanock, 44, was questioned by his fellow contestants on the reality show, including Culture Club frontman Boy George and ITV broadcaster Charlene White, following his arrival in the Australian jungle.

Following his return to the UK, he said the group’s view of him had “softened over time”.

More than 1,000 complaints were made to broadcasting watchdog Ofcom over his participation in the show, while others expressed concerns to the body about how he was being treated by the other contestants.

He told MailOnline: “I didn’t feel bullied at all in the jungle.

“I formed an extraordinary bond with Seann Walsh in a short period of time, and then it took a few days to work through and develop relationships with the rest of the campmates.

“Whatever he says about me, I think Boy George is wonderful and I did not expect to say that about him because we have very different backgrounds, to say the least.

“It took us a few days but we had, what I would call, grown-up, respectful discussions.

“Some of them, I could tell, didn’t take to me straightaway but it -softened over time. Being in the jungle also gives you lots of time to think about what really matters. I thought about how much I care for the people I really love.”

Hancock has faced criticism from opposition politicians and from within his own party for joining the show, with the Tory whip suspended.

He said that each day the public voted for him to remain he was “really pleased” but missed his children “desperately” and felt “guilty” about being away from his partner Gina Coladangelo, with whom he conducted an affair breaking coronavirus social distancing rules.

Hancock also told how he and Gina have endured a “shockingly awful” 18 months since what he branded the “affaire de coeur [love affair]”.

He said: “It’s been absolutely horrific, especially for Gina.

“I’ve had an absolute bucket of s**t poured over my head.”

The Sun published video footage of Hancock and Gina passionately kissing his office as Covid gripped the UK.

He admitted his political judgement was “off” but said he was “deeply in love” with the aide.

They grew close while working on the pandemic together but Hancock said their feelings developed in April last year.

He insists they did not have physical contact until the following month.

Hancock revealed they “wrestled with their consciences” for six weeks before deciding they wanted to “make a life together”.

Since then he has been in a relationship with Gina, who waited for him on the bridge when he left the jungle.

He said it was “wonderful” to see her as it has “not been easy” for him or his family.

The MP claimed he entered the reality show as he wanted the public to look at him as a “human” and not the “face of the pandemic”.