I’m a Celebrity viewers gutted to find out why Matt Hancock isn’t entering the jungle yet

The buildup to this year's series has arguably been the most controversial in the show's history following the announcement that Hancock would be taking part. The new series of I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! got underway on Sunday, with a bumper 105-minute episode, but the former health secretary was nowhere to be seen. More than 42,000 people have signed a petition calling for him to be removed from the show, arguing his appearance on the show will "cause real pain and anguish to those of us who lost loved ones to Covid-19." But many are excited for the Tory MP to enter the jungle so they can get voting for him in the Bushtucker Trials - although he may be able to swerve a few. Unfortunately for them though, they'll have to wait a little bit longer. If producers stick to this format, then we can expect Hancock on our screens on 9 November - so there's not long to wait. The politician, who had to resign after being caught on camera cheating on his wife during the pandemic, will be the 12th star to go into the jungle and will arrive alongside comedian Seann Walsh. However, some were expecting the politician in the series opener, and so were left fuming as the credits rolled at the end. "I want to see Matt Hancock thrown from a helicopter NOW. #ImACeleb." https://twitter.com/sophstar007/status/1589376864128487424 https://twitter.com/ajt05_/status/1589388060588134400 Ant and Dec referenced his imminent arrival in the opening minutes of the series, joking about the surprise late arrival not exactly being a surprise. "We've also got not one but two late arrivals and fortunately we've managed to keep their identities a secret," quipped Ant. "Nobody's got a clue who they are!" And Dec agreed: "Yeah. You're going to be so surprised guys." He then added cheekily: "We'll be rolling out the welcome Matt for them very soon." [caption id="attachment_366291" align="alignnone" width="1424"] Ant and Dec joked that 'nobody's got a clue' who the late camp arrivals are (ITV)[/caption] The petition to have him removed from the show was set up by Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice. It says that Hancock's appearance on the programme will "cause real pain and anguish to those of us who lost loved ones to Covid-19." It goes on to say that the Tory MP "isn’t a ‘celebrity’, he’s the health secretary who oversaw the UK having one of the highest death tolls in the world from Covid-19 whilst breaking his own lockdown rules."

Hancock was swiftly suspended by his party following the news that he would be a late arrival in the jungle this year.

The former health secretary had the party whip removed "with immediate effect." Chief Whip Simon Hart MP said: “Following a conversation with Matt Hancock, I have considered the situation and believe this is a matter serious enough to warrant suspension of the whip with immediate effect.”

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