Matt Hancock’s arrival into the jungle has been met with scrutiny (Picture: ITV)
I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! viewers are reportedly taking to Ofcom due to Matt Hancock’s controversial stint on the TV show.
The former health secretary is gearing up to do his fifth Bushtucker trial on the popular programme, however, fans have proposed a new rule should be put in place to ensure contestants don’t do too many trials in a row, for fear that the series will become ‘boring’.
Last year, Hancock stepped down from his position last year after CCTV footage of him kissing his aide, and ultimately broke social distancing guidelines.
The scandal sent shockwaves through Westminster, which prompted intense backlash and widespread calls for him to go.
The politician’s arrival into the jungle has also been met with intense backlash with several planning to report his cameo to Ofcom.
‘What a surprise Ofcom’s servers are down. I can’t make my complaint about Matt Hancock and ITV. But don’t worry, I am determined and we’ll do it on Sunday sometime,’ one person tweeted.
‘Ofcom I am calling for the removal of @MattHancock from the show please stop making him look like a victim the victims are families like mine and others who lost a loved one in lockdown the ones who followed the rules,’ another added.
Hancock’s arrival also enraged his fellow campmates including Charlene White, Boy George, and Chris Moyles.
During Friday’s installement, Loose Women’s Charlene grilled Hancock over the scandal, telling him ‘sorry doesn’t really cut it’.
She shared: ‘It’s massively bigger than that. My aunt died from Covid in the first wave. So, we couldn’t go to the hospital to go and visit her.
‘I had to sit by myself in the church at her funeral. We couldn’t hug each other because we were following guidance.
‘And I get that you fell in love, I understand all of those things, but sorry for a lot of families like mine doesn’t really cut it.’
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Hancock admitted stories like that are why he ‘regrets’ what happened, before Charlene questioned: ‘Do you have regret regarding the way that as Health Minister you dealt with the pandemic as a whole?’
Hancock replied: ‘So the pandemic as a whole no, I’m much, much more robust in my defence of it,’ before defending his actions as health secretary.
He later added to Charlene: ‘Do you know what it is actually, what I’m really looking for is a bit of forgiveness, that’s what I’m really looking for.’
The most complained I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! moments
Ferne McCann eating a live spider (2015)
During the final, the former Towie star ate a live spider which resulted in 500 complaints as soon as the trial was over.
In January 2016, the regulator cleared I’m a Celebrity of any wrongdoing saying that the nature of the task was “well within” what would be expected of the show.
Charlie Brooks missed the chance to see her daughter (2012)
Series winner and EastEnders actress Charlie missed the chance to hug her daughter Kiki after completing a trial.
66 viewers complained and accused ITV of ‘exploiting’ her daughter.
Ofcom ruled that ITV hadn’t done enough to assure viewers of Kiki’s wellbeing before, during and immediately after the challenge.
Gillian McKeith fainting before live trial (2010)
After the presenter was told that she would participate in the live trial, she appeared to faint, which sparked a mixed response from viewers.
More than 50 people contacted Ofcom to complain after they paid for Gillian to do the tria.
ITV confirmed they would refund viewers 50p after they voted for Gillian.
Gino D’Acampo killing rat (2009)
Series winner and TV chef Gino came under fire after him and fellow contestant Stuart Manning cooked and ate the rat on the series.
Viewers were horrified by Gino’s admission and flocked to Ofcom to raise their concerns.
ITV was fined £1,700 by the Australian RSPCA after the animal was killed.
ITV declined to comment when contacted by Metro.co.uk.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! airs tonight at 9pm on ITV.
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Several are threatening to complain to Ofcom.
