Share and Follow
Matt Hancock could find himself embroiled in a row with his I’m A Celebrity campmates after receiving special treatment during his isolation period ahead of entering the jungle.
The Daily Mail can reveal the former Health Secretary, 44, was granted permission to use his phone ‘to carry on working’ as part of a deal he struck with ITV bosses.
Mr Hancock, who lost the Tory whip last week when it was announced he was joining the cast of the show, also has access to his laptop.
He has even been allowed to speak to his personal adviser via Zoom, despite his co-stars having their devices confiscated and being banned from contacting the outside world.
Matt Hancock could find himself embroiled in a row with his I’m A Celebrity campmates after receiving special treatment during his isolation period ahead of entering the jungle
A source told the Daily Mail: ‘Matt has been given a different arrangement during his isolation period to the other contestants. He has been allowed his phone and laptop so that he can carry on working and keep in touch with his constituents.’
The Mail revealed last week that Mr Hancock’s girlfriend Gina Coladangelo, 45, will be flying out to Australia to support his stint.
The source added: ‘The only option for the rest of the cast is to have one designated family member or friend from back home to receive updates on their welfare via a chaperone.
‘Some feel he has been given preferential treatment ahead of his time on the show, especially as stars such as Charlene [White] have found the isolation process extremely difficult and emotionally draining.’
The Daily Mail can reveal the former Health Secretary was granted permission to use his phone ‘to carry on working’ as part of a deal he struck with ITV bosses
Mr Hancock’s special access could be a point of contention with his campmates, with ITV newsreader Miss White, 42, previously describing the quarantine process as ‘absolute torture.’
The Loose Women star, who struggled to hold back tears as she spoke ahead of Sunday night’s launch show, admitted she couldn’t look at photos of her two children – Alfie, five, and Florence, three – because she was yearning for them so much.
‘I have been trying really hard not to look at their pictures, because I know that it will get me all emotional,’ she said.
Former Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles, 48, described isolating as ‘psychologically fascinating.’
Read Related Also: ‘Hellraiser’ Review: The World’s Edgiest Disney Movie
Mr Hancock has been isolating at a top-secret location in Queensland, Australia, and is believed to have round-the-clock security.
He is set to make his entrance in camp midweek alongside comedian and former Strictly star Seann Walsh, 36.
Mr Hancock’s special access could be a point of contention with his campmates, with ITV newsreader Miss White previously describing the quarantine process as ‘absolute torture’
Charlene, who struggled to hold back tears as she spoke ahead of Sunday night’s launch show, admitted she couldn’t look at photos of her two children because she was yearning for them so much in isolation
The former health secretary said he signed up to the popular ITV series to raise awareness of dyslexia.
He has vowed to give a portion of his fee to charities supporting the cause.
Last week The Sun claimed Mr Hancock could annoy his future campmates by being greedy with food.
He reportedly irritated his SAS: Who Dares Wins co-stars over his ‘selfish’ food habits during mealtimes on the Channel 4 series.
A source said: ‘It was clear he wasn’t a team player. Matt looks after number one first, and he’s bound to annoy his I’m A Celebrity cast mates when he does the same thing in the jungle.’
A spokesman for Mr Hancock said: ‘Matt does not have his personal phone at all and any laptop access is for constituency and zoom work purposes only while in quarantine.
‘Matt does not have general internet access. It has been agreed that Matt will be informed about any urgent constituency matter.’
The Mail revealed last week that Mr Hancock’s girlfriend Gina Coladangelo will be flying out to Australia to support his stint in the jungle
