It’s finally happened – Matt Hancock has entered the I’m A Celebrity jungle and the reactions from his fellow famous campmates were predictably mad.
The politician is arguably the most controversial contestant to ever appear on the ITV reality show, and has even been suspended from his day job as an MP over it.
He entered the camp last night alongside Seann Walsh.
Seann, who is also quite a controversial character after that Strictly kiss scandal, managed to fly under the radar as all disbelieving eyes turned to the former Health Secretary.
A thousand memes were born out of last night’s episode, which saw Hancock singing Ed Sheeran, crawling through bugs, and undergoing secret ‘mole’ missions.
But the thing everyone tuned in to watch was how the other celebs would react to their new campmates, which ranged from complete fits of the giggles to shock to genuine upset.
Safe to say, Matt was quickly challenged by the contestants, who questioned what on earth he was doing there and whether he should really have stepped away from his political duties.
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One particularly noteworthy reaction came from Boy George, who explained that his family were effected by the Covid restrictions brought in during Hancock’s time as Health Secretary.
The legendary pop star, visibly upset, said: “Beginning of the pandemic my mum was in hospital. I wasn’t allowed to see her. I thought she was going to die.”
He continued: “I feel like, I don’t want to be sitting here like I’m having fun with him. It’s difficult for me because, you know, had something happened, if my mum had gone, I wouldn’t be here now. I would have gone when he walked in.”
— I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (@imacelebrity) November 9, 2022
He was later comforted by Corrie star Sue Cleaver, who said: “I think just sleep on it for tonight. Look, why he came in and what he’s doing here, it’s not our responsibility and it’s not for us to take on.”
Sue, who barely made eye contact with Matt when he entered the camp, told the diary room: “I think if I’m honest that most of us are feeling it’s a very strange situation to be in.”
Comedia Babatunde echoed Boy George’s valid concerns, saying: “It’s hard to kind of push your views aside, because of the many people whose lives have been affected.”
On a lighter note, Seann Walsh’s knee-jerk response to Matt’s arrival was hilarious and quickly went viral – the comedian doubled over laughing in Matt’s face.
— I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (@imacelebrity) November 9, 2022
When he tried to explain his feelings to the diary room later, he couldn’t even finish Matt Hancock’s name without bursting out laughing, leading to a lovely ‘Matt Hahahahahahancock’ moment.
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Chris Moyles, meanwhile, told the cameras: “Oh my god. Two new people have arrived. One of them is Seann Walsh, and the other… I’ve gotta go back and double-check.”
He later said: “I can’t help but think ‘he should be at work’.”
Journalist Charlene White, who directly quizzed Matt on his decision to join the show, said privately: “Oh my god this is going to make things so difficult for me. I can only imagine how this has gone down at home. I can imagine that this hasn’t gone down well.”
And Hollyoaks actor Owen Warner? He didn’t have a clue who Matt Hancock was. So that’s that.
New Amazon Prime Video docuseries to show Pep Guardiola’s final seasons at Manchester City
Emily Sergeant
A new all-access docuseries featuring Pep Guardiola’s final few seasons at Manchester City is set to air this summer.
Coming exclusively to Prime Video in the UK and Ireland, the four-part documentary is set to take Manchester City fans and neutral viewers alike inside the club as the players and manager – who delivered an era of dominance -make way for a new generation.
Filmed over the past two seasons, this is the ultimate account of an emotional farewell that marks the end of an era in English football, and will offer unfiltered access to Guardiola, his squad, and the City boardroom.
After 10 trophy-filled years – which included six Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League, three FA Cups, and five EFL Cups – Pep Guardiola called time on his tenure in Manchester last month, alongside fan favourite players Bernardo Silva and John Stones, as well as Kevin De Bruyne the season prior.
This new docuseries was there to follow them every step of the process.
Fans can follow City from a disappointing 2024/25 campaign right through to a domestic double the following season, charting the raw emotion of a squad in transition.
The series is directed by Academy and BAFTA award-winning filmmaker, Kevin Macdonald, alongside City Studios’ John De Caux, and is produced by Kevin Macdonald for Plan B/KM Films and Gavin Johnson and Ged Doherty for City Studios.
“This is the ultimate account of an emotional farewell that marks the end of an era in English football,” Amazon Prime Video said in a statement.
Joining Prime Video’s wide selection of sports programming, the series will be available to watch at no additional cost to Prime members this summer.
It’ll be ready to stream on 19 August.
Featured Image – Prime Video
TV & Showbiz
Trailer released of new BBC legal drama The Split Up set and filmed in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
The first trailer for a new BBC legal drama called The Split Up that was filmed in Manchester have now been released.
The Split Up is new six-part legal drama, with a story and characters created by Ursula Rani Sarma, based on the already-existing popular BBC drama The Split, created by multiple award-winning Abi Morgan, which focuses on the personal and professional lives of the Defoes – a family of female divorce lawyers in London.
This new series, however, is set in and filmed right here in Manchester.
Set within the charged world of Manchester’s high-net-worth divorce circuit, the new pictures reveal the first glimpse of the Kishan Law family – a powerhouse British-South Asian family firm, and the go-to for the city’s elite.
The trailer for new BBC legal drama The Split Up that is set and filmed in Manchester has been released / Credit: BBC
At its centre is Aria Kishan (played by Ritu Arya) as a fast-rising star of Kishan Law, poised to step up and take the mantle from her father Dhruv, played by Sanjeev Bhaskar, and Aria’s siblings Maya (Aysha Kala), Kav (Arian Nik), and partner Neal (Danny Ashok).
So, what is The Split Up about then? A description of the upcoming series on the BBC website reads: “The death of Aria’s mother has cast a new light over succession plans for Dhruv, who has begun to wonder if his daughter can, or should, take on this responsibility single-handedly.
“Aria’s relationship is placed under scrutiny too with the wedding to long-term partner Neal on the horizon, but with their personal and professional lives so entwined it’s unclear if their relationship can withstand any more pressure – a problem further compounded when a former secret flame (Dimitri Leonidas) arrives in Manchester unexpectedly.
“Alongside her siblings Maya and Kav, whose own relationships and loyalties are far from straightforward, Aria must navigate the splits that divide family and those we love – and ask herself, who should you live your life for?”
As well as the talented ensemble cast of actors already mentioned, viewers can also expect to see a handful of standout guest stars throughout the series too – including famous faces like Lenny Henry, Jane Horrocks, and Jameela Jamil.
Filming for The Split Up wrapped in Manchester earlier this year, but as of yet, there is still no word of when the show is set to air, so keep your eyes peeled.
Further announcements about the series are expected in due course.
Daisy Jackson -
10th November 2022 
