Matt Hancock says Celebrity SAS was ‘one of the toughest’ things he has ever done

The former Conservative MP declared in the MPs’ Register of Interests that he was paid £45,000 to appear on the Channel 4 show
Matt Hancock has spoken about his time taking part in Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins
Channel 4
Tina Campbell14 September 2023
The Weekender

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Matt Hancock says taking part in SAS: Who Dares Wins was “one of the toughest physical and mental things” he has ever done.

The former Conservative MP, who served as the UK’s health minister during the Covid-19 pandemic, appears in the upcoming series five of Celebrity SAS, a star-studded edition of the reality show where competitors are challenged to see if they can pass the gruelling SAS selection test.

It’s his second reality TV stint – having infamously taken part in last year’s I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here – however Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins was actually filmed first.

“Being on SAS was like nothing else I’ve ever experienced,” Hancock said of the show, which was filmed in Vietnam and kicks off on Channel 4 on September 26.

“It’s one of the toughest physical and mental things I’ve ever done. It really opens your eyes and makes you look into yourself.”

Matt Hancock pictured with the other celebrities taking part in this year’s series
PA

He continued: “After coming through the most challenging period as Health Secretary during the pandemic, I wanted to push my limits. It’s safe to say the course tested my resilience!”

One reassuring factor would have been his fee, as he declared in the MPs’ Register of Interests that he was paid £45,000 to appear on the show.

According to reports, he received around £400,000 for his time on I’m A Celebrity.

Also taking part in Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins are singers Gareth Gates, Michelle Heaton and Siva Kaneswaran, TV personality Danielle Lloyd; presenter Melinda Messenger, footballer Jermaine Pennant and rugby player Gareth Thomas.

Completing the line-up are reality TV stars James “Arg” Argent, Montana Brown, Teddy Soares and Amber Turner, comedian Zoe Lyons, Hollyoaks actress Kirsty-Leigh Porter, Olympian Perri Shakes-Drayton, and Paralympian Jon-Allan Butterworth.

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