Matt Hancock says he didn’t “primarily” go on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! for the cash.
He additionally defended the three% of his £320,000 look payment which he donated to charity as a “decent sum”.
The former well being secretary stated the £10,000 donation was “more than my MPs’ salary” that he nonetheless acquired whereas showing on the fact TV present within the Australian jungle.
Entering the present regardless of criticism from constituents and colleagues, Mr Hancock‘s staff had informed reporters he can be donating a portion of his look payment.
Ahead of his look, Mr Hancock stated he signed as much as elevate consciousness of dyslexia, which he was identified with whereas at Oxford University.
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Mr Hancock later revealed he had given a share of the £10,000 sum to the St Nicholas Hospice in Suffolk and the British Dyslexia Association after official data confirmed his payment amounted to £320,000.
“I didn’t primarily do it [go on the reality show] for the money, I primarily did it to try to show who I am,” Mr Hancock informed ITV’s Good Morning Britain programme.
“I think £10,000 is actually a decent sum.”
He additionally confirmed he nonetheless acquired his MP wage whereas within the jungle, however stated his donations have been bigger than that sum, which is round £7,000 per 30 days.
The West Suffolk MP, who was kicked out of the Conservative Party over his look on the present, did concede that “of course there was a discussion and negotiation over the fee”.
But he argued that he “certainly would have considered” showing on the programme for simply £10.
He additionally denied that negotiations about his payment soared after he turned down preliminary affords.
Mr Hancock completed in third place on the present behind actor Owen Warner and England skilled footballer Jill Scott.
Records on the MPs’ register of pursuits confirmed Mr Hancock acquired £320,000 from Lifted Entertainment, ITV Studios, for the work which he listed as lasting for 30 days.
The look was criticised by many MPs, together with the prime minister.
More than 1,000 complaints have been made to broadcasting watchdog Ofcom over his participation.
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The households of a few of those that died in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic even flew a message over the I’m A Celebrity camp, demanding his removing.
An announcement from the group behind the banner, 38 Degrees – a British non-profit political activism organisation – stated his look on the present was “sickening”.
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Mr Hancock’s campmates, together with singer Boy George and TV journalist Charlene White, additionally questioned his actions in the course of the pandemic contained in the camp.
The Conservative MP resigned as well being secretary for breaking social distancing steerage after video emerged of him kissing and embracing an aide in his workplace.
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He has since confirmed he won’t be standing for the Conservative Party on the subsequent common election.
It was beforehand revealed that Mr Hancock had additionally earned £45,000 for collaborating in Channel 4’s Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins throughout September and October.
Source: information.sky.com”
