Matt Hancock is reportedly set to enter the I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! jungle earlier than first expected after one of the show’s contestants was forced to withdraw.
Olivia Attwood withdrew from the TV show on medical grounds, after just one day in the jungle.
ITV said the 31-year-old former Love Island contestant had been told by the programme’s medical team that it is not safe for her to return to camp.
Ms Attwood became the first contestant to leave the show, which launched on Sunday night.
Matt Hancock
Yui Mok
Olivia Attwood
Ian West
As a result of her exit, Mr Hancock and comedian Seann Walsh could now be brought into the jungle earlier than previously planned, according to The Sun.
The former health secretary’s appearance on the show has been slammed by many, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Asked for his view on the former health secretary entering the Australian jungle, the Prime Minister told broadcasters in Egypt: “I’ve said already that I think it was a disappointing decision that he made to participate in the programme at this time.
“And I very much support the decision that the chief whip has taken to suspend the Conservative whip from Matt Hancock.”
Pressed on whether Mr Hancock will have the whip restored in future, Mr Sunak said: “Whipping matters are of course a question for the chief whip.”
He added: “I’ve been very clear that I was very disappointed with the decision he made. I think there’s lots for us all to be getting on with at this time, and that’s what I think people should be (focusing on).”
Speaking about Ms Attwood’s withdrawal from the show, an ITV spokesman said on Monday: “As a precautionary measure Olivia needed to leave the jungle to undergo some medical checks.
“Unfortunately the medical team has advised it is not safe for Olivia to return to camp as there needs to be a further investigation.
“She has been absolutely brilliant and she’ll be very much missed on the show.”
While on Monday night’s show, presenter Declan Donnelly said: “As you might have heard, unfortunately Olivia Attwood has left the jungle for medical reasons and sadly won’t be returning.”