MATT Hancock has been snubbed by Channel 4 after signing up to ITV’s I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!.
The former Health Secretary, 44, had been at the centre of talks at production company Endemol Shine about possible television projects following his successful stint on Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins.
Television insiders revealed all the plans have been shelved after Hancock’s decision to join I’m A Celebrity – which will air months before SAS.
A source said: “Matt was a hugely popular member of the Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins cast.
“After the show producers working for Shine were encouraged to think up new formats with Matt in mind.
“They were convinced his popularity would increase after the show and were keen to look at new projects with him for Channel 4.
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“After it was revealed he had signed up for I’m A Celebrity however that all changed.
“The people developing ideas were told to stop and it was made clear that currently Matt was not the most popular person.”
The Sun previously revealed how Channel 4 bosses were furious to learn the West Suffolk MP had joined the I’m A Celebrity line up.
Some of the staffers working on SAS told The Sun they were convinced Hancock had broken the terms of his contract – a claim his representatives vehemently denied.
A source said: “Matt joining I’m A Celebrity is a massive two fingers up to SAS Who Dares Wins.
“And not only has Matt joined I’m A Celeb just weeks after filming SAS, but that show will air months before SAS.”
The source went on to say that some believe Matt’s fee for the show, believed to be around £25,000, should be docked.”
They added: “There are a lot of angry people working on SAS who loved Matt when he signed up but now are treating him with total contempt.
“He was SAS’s big star signing and the show was supposed to be Matt’s first big television series.
“By joining I’m A Celebrity it basically renders that exclusivity that Channel 4 had redundant.
“They can’t edit him out because of what happens in the series.
“Many think he deserves to have his pay cut seeing as they can’t cut him out.”
Angry constituents told The Sun they were furious over Hancock’s enormous fee.
He is now in quarantine on the Gold Coast ahead of the show starting on Sunday evening.
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He will join 10 other stars including pop star Boy George, former rugby player Mike Tindall and Coronation Street’s Sue Cleaver in the Australian jungle.
Viewers will not see Hancock on screen until the end of next week as he signed up as late arrival – joining comedian and ex Strictly Come Dancing contestant Seann Walsh.
