I'm A Celebrity 2022: Matt Hancock joins line-up as bombshell late arrival

Matt Hancock has signed up for this year's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! at the last minute.

The 44-year-old Conservative MP is set to head into the jungle as a latecomer and will join the 10 celebrities, who will head into camp this weekend, later on in the series.

Mr Hancock has been suspended from the Tory whip with immediate effect shortly after it was emerged he signed up for the show.

Chief whip Simon Hart said: "Following a conversation with Matt Hancock, I have considered the situation and believe this is a matter serious enough to warrant suspension of the whip with immediate effect."

Mr Hancock, who has been accused of cashing in on Covid by taking part in the show, is set to join this year's stars in camp after agreeing at the last-minute to take part.

Mr Hancock's salary for taking part in the show is also expected to be declared. A political ally of the MP's said: "Matt will be making a donation to St Nicholas Hospice in Suffolk, and he will, of course, declare the amount he receives from the show to Parliament to ensure complete transparency, as normal."

Mirror have contacted ITV for comment.

The show's campmates have already landed in Australia ahead of the series launch on Sunday November 6.

Last week saw Chris Moyles, Olivia Attwood, Sue Cleaver, Owen Warner, Jill Scott, Charlene White, Babatunde Aléshé, Mike Tindall, Scalette Douglas and Boy George all land Down Under.

Meanwhile I'm A Celeb's hosts Ant and Dec have also been spotted in Australia as they prepare to head into the jungle – reuniting for a stroll on an Aussie beach before their hosting duties begin.

He is said to be hoping to show viewers the 'real him' with a stint on the hugely popular ITV reality series.

It comes after a slew of scandal and controversies for the politician.

The MP was forced to resign as Health Secretary last year after it was revealed he had been unfaithful to his wife.

Leaked CCTV showed him in a clinch with adviser Gina Coladangelo in his Whitehall office. At the time a ban on indoor social gatherings of people from different households were in place, meaning he also broke Covid rules during the tryst.

He’ll be the second sitting MP to take part in the gruelling competition, after fellow Tory Nadine Dorries.

Other political figures to have taken part include Stanley Johnson, father of former PM Boris, and ex-Lib Dem MP Lembit Opik.

In Mr Hancock’s constituency, Andy Drummond, deputy chairman of West Suffolk Conservative Association, said: "I’m looking forward to him eating a kangaroo’s penis. Quote me. You can quote me that."

Shadow Culture Secretary Lucy Powell said: “While his constituents need help with the cost of living and want answers about the economy his party has just tanked, Matt Hancock is jetting off to Australia to eat kangaroo testicles. Sums them up really.

“No doubt he’ll be voted off first, as this never ends well for MPs.”

Shadow Arts Minister Barbara Keeley added: “What is seriously wrong with Matt Hancock MP going on I’m a Celeb: His constituents won’t be represented in Parliament.

“[And] those bereaved by COVID, particularly those whose died in care homes, have serious questions to raise with him as the COVID Inquiry gets under way.”

Mr Hancock abruptly withdrew from the race to be the next chairman of the Commons Treasury Select Committee on Monday, after being passed over for a front-bench role in Rishi Sunak’s reshuffle.

He has a book, Pandemic Diaries, coming out in time for Christmas.

After helming the Department of Health through the worst months of the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Hancock was forced to quit after video footage emerged of him in a passionate clinch with Gina Coladangelo, a member of his staff.

He left his wife to pursue a relationship with Ms Coladangelo, who was also married to Oliver Bonas founder Oliver Tress.

Ms Dorries found herself in hot water after being a surprise addition to the show’s cast in 2012.

She was suspended by the Conservative Party for failing to inform party whips that she was leaving the country while the House was sitting to take part in the programme.

The following year she apologised to MPs after failing to correctly register her £82,000 appearance fee.

Mr Hancock's trip to Australia will leave him out of the country at a crucial time in Parliament - yet he'll still be able to get his £84,144 salary.

The House of Commons is sitting almost non-stop between now and December 21, with only one short break next Thursday and Friday.

And the Autumn Statement which will inflict billions in tax rises and spending cuts is being held on November 17.