MATT Hancock was snubbed by Strictly Come Dancing bosses before joining I’m Celeb after his advisors made a desperate bid to get him on the show with a stunning dancer.
The MP’s team contacted BBC1 production bosses several months ago but were repeatedly ignored after insiders told SE, Matt was “too problematic” for the Saturday night family show.
Hancock, 44, had signed up for an appearance on ITV’s I’m a Celeb after being shunned for a cabinet comeback
It has since emerged that the former Health Secretary, 44, only signed up to the ITV jungle show, filmed in Australia, last week when her realised he was being shunned for a Cabinet comeback by new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
A well-placed telly source said: “Matt’s first choice was to appear on Strictly Come Dancing and he wanted to follow a long line of MPs taking part in the show.
“However, his repeated attempts to reach out for a meeting with the BBC, via his team, were ignored as he was seen as far too problematic and controversial to appear on their family friendly dance show.
“His name conjures anger, governmental failure and adultery, which is the last thing Beeb bosses wanted to associate the jewel in their crown with.
Some think it’s quite funny he has deperately signed up to I’m A Celeb.”
SE on Sunday can also reveal that Matt will skydive into camp on Tuesday, along with fellow love rat comedian Seann Walsh, 36, who was famously caught snogging married Strictly dance partner Katya Jones in 2018.
Talking to the Sun about signing up to the show Matt said last week: “I thought long and hard about this – in fact I turned down I’m A Celebrity… twice this summer, but when they approached me for a third time last week, I had a change of heart.”
It also emerged yesterday other cabinet ministers turned down reality TV offers after Dominic Raab has told friends he was approached by producers believed to be from Channel 4’s Celebrity SAS.
