West Suffolk MP Matt Hancock has revealed his reasoning for signing up for the hit ITV show I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here saying he wants to "go to where the people are".

The former Health Secretary was suspended as a Conservative MP after he decided to sign up to the reality TV show, which starts on Sunday.

Mr Hancock was a surprise extra name added to the list of contenders and friends said he would use his appearance to promote his work on dyslexia.

East Anglian Daily Times: West Suffolk MP Matt Hancock believes there isn't time to conduct a public inquiry.

Mr Hancock defended his decision in an article for The Sun, arguing it is “a great opportunity to talk directly to people who aren’t always interested in politics”.

He wrote: “It’s our job as politicians to go to where the people are — not to sit in ivory towers in Westminster.

“There are many ways to do the job of being an MP.

"Whether I’m in camp for one day or three weeks, there are very few places people will be able to see a politician as they really are.

“So, the truth is, I haven’t lost my marbles or had one too many pina coladas.

"It’s something I’ve given a lot of thought to.”

Mr Hancock said he wants to use the “incredible platform” to raise awareness of dyslexia.

He said he turned down the programme “twice this summer” but had a “change of heart” after workers asked a third-time last week.

The MP said it was not the money that changed his mind, saying he will make “a donation” to St Nicholas Hospice Care in Suffolk, though he does not say he will give up the full amount.

He said he feels able to go to the jungle now the “Government is stable”.

Mr Hancock said he can be reached on “any urgent constituency matters”.

The former cabinet minister has come under fire since deciding to enter the jungle. 

Conservative backbencher Tim Loughton said Mr Hancock has been an “absolute prat”.

East Anglian Daily Times: Tim Loughton during Prime Minister's Questions Tim Loughton during Prime Minister's Questions (Image: PA)

“I’m completely disappointed and disgusted that he’s put his self and a so-called celebrity career ahead of serving his constituents,” he told Times Radio.

Lobby Akinnola, from the Covid-19 Bereaved Families For Justice campaign, said: “Matt Hancock isn’t a ‘celebrity’, he’s the former health secretary who oversaw the UK having one of the highest death tolls in the world from Covid-19 whilst breaking his own lockdown rules."