I’m a Celebrity: Matt Hancock’s Jungle Suit will be an experiment, but Tory politicians are no stranger to appearing on reality shows

Partial comments in 2013 in New York Times written by a few academics suggests that, if at all, Americans are more likely to vote for politicians they consider good-looking than politicians they don’t find physically attractive.

The last example cited is John F Kennedy, whose handsome, smooth appearance, the man who led the way is said to have given him an edge in the historic televised presidential debate against his opponent. Richard Nixon, who refused to wear makeup and looked sweaty, annoyed, and crafty. hot studio lights.

Interestingly, the majority of Americans listening to the radio debate thought Nixon had done better.

Unfortunately for the authors, their theory had gone up in smoke by the time Donald Trump, whose grotesque exterior only exceeded his bottomless reserves of inner ugliness encased in a shell. that hideous orange, was elected President of the United States.

Paul Begala clearly never intended to take his words seriously. However, he may have inadvertently identified certain politicians whose desperate need and desire for attention blur the lines between politics and showbiz, driving them to a form of self-deprecation. The most extreme self a politician could love: appearing on a reality TV show.

The latest is former UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who joined the line-up of ITV’s reality TV series about forests I’m a celebrity… Get me out of here! this week.

Participation in reality shows has become a habit of Tory politicians. The ridiculous-looking MP Michael Fabricant, whose shaggy blond hair makes him look like a Boris Johnson doll stitched up with wool, has appeared on a Channel 4 charity issue First date. Charity has been in short supply since his unimpressive day.

The terrible Edwina Currie, the missing link between the worlds of man and horse, appeared on Seriously come to dance (first to vote) and I’m a celebrity (on Wednesday). At least she admits that she did the latter with a salary of £100,000.

Anne Widdecombe – or Anne Weirdecombe as we call her in my house – also Serious, where she provides much comic relief. Now, if only it were actually supported by Comic Relief.

Like Hancock, Nadine Dorries was whipped partisan from her after she skipped her day job to fly to Australia to appear on TV. I’m a celebrity without asking permission.

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Dorries, who a decade later was culture secretary in Boris Johnson’s cabinet, nibbled on camel’s toes and ostrich’s anus. The butt diet didn’t do her any good – she was the first to be voted on by the public.

Being on a reality show doesn’t always expose politicians to humiliation. Former Labor MP Ed Balls becomes an unexpected celebrity of Strict several years ago, he wowed viewers and judges with his hilarious routines, including singing salsa in front of Korean pop star Psy’s Gangnam style.

Balls has forged a media career in the back of the show. He is a regular host on ITV’s Good morning England and presented BBC documentaries.

However, Lord knows what drove Matt Hancock into the woods. As if being blamed for thousands of careless deaths during the Johnson government’s handling of the Covid crisis wasn’t bad enough, Hancock was caught on CCTV being unfaithful to his wife to aide Gina Coladangelo his – and break the rules that lock him down. perform.

If he is expecting redemption, he will bark at the wrong gum. It is expected that UK viewers, many of whom will lose loved ones to Covid, will vote for Hancock to do every bushtucker test possible.

ITV knew that the traditionally high ratings for this show would skyrocket. Unlike Hancock’s career.