THE MP for Clwyd West, David Jones, has shared his disappointment at the news that Matt Hancock, is to appear on the reality show “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!”.

Mr Hancock, MP for West Suffolk since 2010, has faced widespread criticism for signing up for this year’s series of the ITV programme, set in a jungle near New South Wales, Australia.

The former health secretary defended his decision by saying that the show, which garnered average ratings of 7.59million in its 21st series last year, is a "powerful tool" to reach young people.

But Mr Jones has accused Mr Hancock, 44, of absolving himself of his responsibilities to both his West Suffolk constituents and to Westminster.

He said: “I would respectfully suggest that, as MP for West Suffolk, Mr Hancock would most effectively serve his constituents by being not in the Australian outback, but in the Palace of Westminster; or perhaps even in West Suffolk.

“For my part, I must assure my own constituents that I have absolutely no intention of appearing on ‘I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!’ and, similarly, will reject all approaches from ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and ‘Blankety Blank’.”

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Readers air their views on Matt Hancock joining I'm A Celebrity 2022

Mr Hancock, who was health secretary for the first 15 months of the COVID-19 pandemic and was found to have broken lockdown rules, has also had the Tory whip suspended after news of his appearance on the show broke.

He has said he will donate a portion of his fee for appearing on the programme - which he will declare in the Register of Members' Interests - to charity.

In a Twitter thread, “COVID-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK”, which is comprised of more than 6,000 people who have suffered coronavirus-related bereavements, condemned Mr Hancock’s actions and called for his removal from the programme.

A petition to stop him appearing on the show, set up by the group, has gathered more than 16,000 signatures. 

Extracts from the thread read: “Matt Hancock isn’t a ‘celebrity’, he’s the former 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.

“The fact that he is trying to cash in on his terrible legacy, rather than showing some humility or seeking to reflect on the appalling consequences of his time in Government says it all about the sort of person he is.

“Our families were ripped apart by Matt Hancock’s actions, and turning on the TV to see him being paraded around as a joke is sickening.”

Previous politicians to have appeared on the Ant and Dec-hosted show are former culture secretary, Nadine Dorries, and ex-Scottish Labour leader, Kezia Dugdale.

Mr Hancock is also set to appear on the Channel 4 show “SAS: Who Dares Wins”, where celebrities undertake military training.

The 22nd series of “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!” begins on ITV at 9pm on Sunday, November 6.