Matt Hancock’s tell-all interview on Steven Bartlett’s Diary of a CEO podcast has been labelled ‘nauseating drivel’.
The former Health Secretary met with the Dragon’s Den star for an interview that lasted almost two hours.
In the chat, Hancock defended his now-very-public kiss with aide Gina Coladangelo, saying it was not casual sex but that he ‘fell in love’.
The tense clip from the podcast saw the MP repeatedly ask Bartlett to restart the section about his extramarital affair.
Bartlett said: “In September 2020 there was guidance given to stop us engaging in and having casual sex with people outside our household.”
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Matt Hancock appearing on the Diary of a CEO podcast. Credit: YouTube, Diary of a CEO
Hancock then interrupted him and said: “Do you think you could ask that question in a little bit more respectful way?”
He later added: “Can we just start this section again?
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“I don’t mind all of it except that opening bit about casual sex. I haven’t had casual sex with anybody, I fell in love with somebody.
“Let’s start this bit again and I’ll relax.”
Hancock said: “I resigned because I broke the social distancing guidelines. By then they weren’t actually rules, they weren’t the law, but that’s not the point.
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“The point is they were the guidelines that I’d been proposing, and that happened because I fell in love with somebody.”
The clip has been widely shared on social media today since the podcast was released.
Jim Bob edited the clip with the music from Our Tune, a long-standing feature/segment on British radio presented by broadcaster Simon Bates.
I don’t know who* added music to this but it’s brilliant. (*It was me. I’m brilliant) pic.twitter.com/GeLWP2IFVt
Another person wrote: “Oh Jesus god. I’ve just seen polo-necked Matt Hancock explaining that he broke the social distancing rules because he ‘fell in love’. And I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a nauseatingly self-indulgent clip. It could be worse than his snog video.”
Many people also had comments to make about Hancock’s outfit of a dark polo-neck top with skinny blue jeans – including Lorraine Kelly.
Lorraine said on her show this morning that he looked like a ‘pound shop Milk Tray man’ in reference to the Cadbury advert that aired between 1968 and 1984.
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Matt Hancock drinking Huel whist wearing a roll neck jumper and Top Gear jeans is my sleep paralysis demon pic.twitter.com/efYOUHi9IB
There’s a farm in Greater Manchester where you can meet Lilo and Stitch
Thomas Melia
Any fans of the Disney classic Lilo and Stitch are in luck because there’s a farm in Greater Manchester which is hosting a special meet and greet event.
Who doesn’t love a sci-fi comedy drama film, especially one where the lead character’s sidekick is none other than the adorable little blue experiment with a voice we still imitate to this day?
Originally released in 2002, the Lilo and Stitch film is receiving a live-action version in 2025 and we’re sure to fall in love with Lilo and her little blue fur ball pal over again, 23 years later.
Ahead of the new live adaptation, Cockfields Farm in Greater Manchester is hosting a meet and greet event dedicated to this huge Disney film.
This is the perfect opportunity for little ones and grown-ups alike to come and meet two of their favourite Disney characters while also getting a chance to venture around the farmland as well.
As the event is taking place at a farm, this means that the Lilo and Stitch experience won’t be the only event guests will be able to take part in; there’s also a handful of fun farm-based activities to try your hand at too.
There are tractor rides, a giant bouncy pillow and a carousel running all throughout the day for any kids looking to let off some steam.
And those after a quieter and less energetic itinerary can head on over to the cuddling corner, feed meerkats and handle some reptiles too, this farm is catering for all.
With the meet and greet experience occurring during May, meaning more chance of that gorgeous sunshine, anyone attending is also advised to come dressed in their ‘Hawaiian best’.
Lilo and Stitch are coming for a special meet and greet at Cockfields Farm in Ashton-under-Lyne on 17 and 18 May, with tickets already live HERE.
Local Olympian Keely Hodgkinson named as official starter of the 2025 Great Manchester Run
Danny Jones
One of our very own is getting ready to get thousands of racers underway as local Olympian, Keely Hodgkinson MBE, has been named as the official starter for the 2025 Great Manchester Run.
Atherton’s very own generational trackstar, who picked up gold at Paris 2024 and has earned several other medals, not to mention smashing multiple British records, will be leading the hordes of runners taking on the annual AJ Bell challenge through central Manchester next month.
We couldn’t think of anyone better suited to fly the flag for Greater Manchester.
HUGE NEWS incoming… 👀🔥
We’re super excited to announce that Olympic champion @keelyhodgkinson will be the official race starter for this year’s AJ Bell Great Manchester Run! 🏃♀️💥👏🐝 pic.twitter.com/aHHxeaMQ9p
Hyping up the news on social media, the Great Run company went on to add: “A true hometown hero, an Olympic champion, and now, kicking off Manchester’s best running party of the year – the BIGGEST in a decade! We’re proper BUZZZZZING! Let’s have it, Manchester!”
Safe to say they’re pretty ecstatic with the news, and so are we, as Keely Hodgkinson becomes the latest Team GB member to bring their pedigree to the event, following in the very fast footsteps of Sir Mo Farah, Kelly Holmes, Amir Khan and many more.
Although the 800m specialist is yet to comment on the announcement directly, the magic of getting to put the hard yards in front of a home crowd won’t be lost on her, and it goes without saying that she’ll get an unreal reception from the Manc spectators – of which there are expected to be more than 100,000.
Better yet, over 35,000 participants are set to take on the Great Manchester Run this year, therefore teeing potentially record-breaking crowds for the event.
2025 marks the 22nd edition of the event, and the atmosphere throughout the city centre, as well as out into East Manchester and Trafford, is always spectacular. There are still places left if you’re tempted…
Undoubtedly one of the very best athletes to ever come out of the underdog borough that is Wigan, whether you argue the case for old Lancashire or not, surely we can all be proud to call her a Greater Mancunian this spring, just as we did back in the summer?
Once again, it isn’t long before the annual race day kicks off as the Great Manchester Run arrives on Sunday, 18 May, with Keely Hodgkinson beckoning everyone towards their own hero moments.
There are still places left for both the 10k and half marathon distances, and now we’ve seen the medal design for this year, we might just have to sign up again ourselves.
You can find out more and decide for yourself HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
1st March 2022 
