Matt Hancock is not the first politician to enter the Australian jungle for I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here.
The new series, which begins on Sunday (6 November), will see the former health secretary, who resigned in 2021 after violating his own Covid regulations, join the new batch of contestants a few days in.
His participation in the series has been condemned not only by fans, but by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who said on Tuesday (1 November) that, rather than competing in a reality series, MPs “should be working hard for their constituents in the House or in their constituencies”.
But Hancock is not the first politician to have entered the jungle.
Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner Brian Paddick kicked off the wave of MPs being asked to take part, signing up in 2008. He finished in seventh place. Former Labour MP and Mep Robert Kilroy-Silk also participated in that year’s series,...
The new series, which begins on Sunday (6 November), will see the former health secretary, who resigned in 2021 after violating his own Covid regulations, join the new batch of contestants a few days in.
His participation in the series has been condemned not only by fans, but by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who said on Tuesday (1 November) that, rather than competing in a reality series, MPs “should be working hard for their constituents in the House or in their constituencies”.
But Hancock is not the first politician to have entered the jungle.
Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner Brian Paddick kicked off the wave of MPs being asked to take part, signing up in 2008. He finished in seventh place. Former Labour MP and Mep Robert Kilroy-Silk also participated in that year’s series,...
- 11/2/2022
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - TV
As C4's controversial police drama airs tonight, a former senior officer at the Met talks about his role as adviser
Brian Paddick, once at the heart of the Metropolitan police during some of the most contentious and high-profile operations of recent years, is now helping to steer a radical new TV treatment of the force, directed by the Oscar-winning Danny Boyle.
Paddick, now a peer, is a key adviser on Babylon, which goes out tonight on Channel 4. The drama, starring James Nesbitt, comes at a time of renewed scrutiny of London's police, following the conviction last week of the officer involved in the Plebgate scandal and continuing investigations into police relations with the tabloid press.
Boyle, the film and theatre director who masterminded the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, has chosen the Met as the subject for his first major venture in TV. Babylon aims to blur the boundaries both...
Brian Paddick, once at the heart of the Metropolitan police during some of the most contentious and high-profile operations of recent years, is now helping to steer a radical new TV treatment of the force, directed by the Oscar-winning Danny Boyle.
Paddick, now a peer, is a key adviser on Babylon, which goes out tonight on Channel 4. The drama, starring James Nesbitt, comes at a time of renewed scrutiny of London's police, following the conviction last week of the officer involved in the Plebgate scandal and continuing investigations into police relations with the tabloid press.
Boyle, the film and theatre director who masterminded the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, has chosen the Met as the subject for his first major venture in TV. Babylon aims to blur the boundaries both...
- 2/9/2014
- by Maggie Brown, Vanessa Thorpe
- The Guardian - Film News
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Charlie Brooker’s Twilight Zone inspired horror anthology Black Mirror begins on Sunday with “The National Anthem”, the first of three stand alone episodes which at once juggle razor sharp satire, silly jokes and disturbing imagery. It’s safe to say it’s unlike anything else you’ve seen on British television in the last twelve months – in fact you’d probably have to reach back to Chris Morris’ similarly warped Jam to find something even remotely similar.
The premise of this episode is difficult to explain without spoilers, so to put it extremely vaguely: it’s about a Prime Minister (Rory Kinnear) who awakens one morning to find that a member of the Royal Family has been taken hostage and will be killed if he doesn’t fulfil an unusual and embarrassing demand on live television within the next few hours. He spends the rest...
Charlie Brooker’s Twilight Zone inspired horror anthology Black Mirror begins on Sunday with “The National Anthem”, the first of three stand alone episodes which at once juggle razor sharp satire, silly jokes and disturbing imagery. It’s safe to say it’s unlike anything else you’ve seen on British television in the last twelve months – in fact you’d probably have to reach back to Chris Morris’ similarly warped Jam to find something even remotely similar.
The premise of this episode is difficult to explain without spoilers, so to put it extremely vaguely: it’s about a Prime Minister (Rory Kinnear) who awakens one morning to find that a member of the Royal Family has been taken hostage and will be killed if he doesn’t fulfil an unusual and embarrassing demand on live television within the next few hours. He spends the rest...
- 12/3/2011
- by Robert Beames
- Obsessed with Film
First off, huge congratulations to Cheyenne Jackson and his boyfriend husband Monte Lapka, who just got married in a beach ceremony in the Hamptons. As Cheyenne tweeted, "It's official, after 11 years together, Zora's no longer a bastard. Just married the best man I've ever known."
The Vatican is so upset that the Irish government called them out publicly for being uncooperative in the pedophile priest problem in that country that they've recalled their official envoy. Seriously, with scandal after scandal, each one finding the church covered up the abuse for decades, they have the balls to play the outraged victim again?
If this article that is about registering the poor to vote being un-American isn't enough to give you an aneurysm, then head on into the comments where it gets so much worse. It seems that for these commenters, you should have to be a wealthy landowner in order to have the right to suffrage.
The Vatican is so upset that the Irish government called them out publicly for being uncooperative in the pedophile priest problem in that country that they've recalled their official envoy. Seriously, with scandal after scandal, each one finding the church covered up the abuse for decades, they have the balls to play the outraged victim again?
If this article that is about registering the poor to vote being un-American isn't enough to give you an aneurysm, then head on into the comments where it gets so much worse. It seems that for these commenters, you should have to be a wealthy landowner in order to have the right to suffrage.
- 9/4/2011
- by Ed Kennedy
- The Backlot
The BBC has confirmed five of the six panel members for Thursday night's Question Time UK riots special episode. John Prescott, former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, will be joined by Brian Paddick, the former Deputy Assistant Commissioner of London's Metropolitan Police Service. Paddick also combated the 1981 Brixton riots, and is aiming to run for Mayor of London in 2012. The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, will also appear on the special, along with Camila Batmanghelidjh from Kids Company, a group that helps vulnerable children across London. Batmanghelidjh's feature on the riots in yesterday's Independent (more)...
- 8/10/2011
- by By Tom Eames
- Digital Spy
Plus catch up on Caprica, True Lies is coming to the small screen, and the Hrc brings celebrities to New York equality.
Is Artie destined to be unhappy on Glee? Because now “other Asian” Harry Shum, Jr. is saying the he and Tina are getting together on the show. Is this the new love triangle? The super dancer vs. the guy in the wheelchair? It’s an interesting story to tell.
“In the history of me teaching as a pro, I've never heard a woman ask, 'Please, grab my boobs, it's safer,’” says Louis Van Amstel on The Bachelor Pad last night. Please, someone disinfect Louis before he goes home to that cute boyfriend of his.
Sourdough bread, white truffle cheese, 100-year-old balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil, cheese, quail’s egg, heirloom black tomato, epicure apple, and dried figs. $178. The realization that you just paid nearly $200 for a cheese sandwich,...
Is Artie destined to be unhappy on Glee? Because now “other Asian” Harry Shum, Jr. is saying the he and Tina are getting together on the show. Is this the new love triangle? The super dancer vs. the guy in the wheelchair? It’s an interesting story to tell.
“In the history of me teaching as a pro, I've never heard a woman ask, 'Please, grab my boobs, it's safer,’” says Louis Van Amstel on The Bachelor Pad last night. Please, someone disinfect Louis before he goes home to that cute boyfriend of his.
Sourdough bread, white truffle cheese, 100-year-old balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil, cheese, quail’s egg, heirloom black tomato, epicure apple, and dried figs. $178. The realization that you just paid nearly $200 for a cheese sandwich,...
- 9/14/2010
- by Ed Kennedy
- The Backlot
Plus Rampage Jackson says lighten up, Ronnie Kroell is the leader, and lesbians raise great kids.
It changes everything! Why I bet we can even get married in Texas now!
A new iPhone was announced today and — it makes it makes your old iPhone an antique.!You must give Steve Jobs your credit card number immediately, or your social life is over. Seriously though, it's pretty cool. It's thinner, with a better screen and camera, shoots HD video, and does video calling good enough to have American Beauty's Sam Mendes make a commercial about how cool the video calling is. And At&T is allowing early upgrades.
Basically, we're all dopamine addicts. And all this constant media is making it worse. On average, we consume 3x the information in a given day than someone in 1960 would have. I think I'm closer to 10x, but it's my job. We change windows 37 times every hour,...
It changes everything! Why I bet we can even get married in Texas now!
A new iPhone was announced today and — it makes it makes your old iPhone an antique.!You must give Steve Jobs your credit card number immediately, or your social life is over. Seriously though, it's pretty cool. It's thinner, with a better screen and camera, shoots HD video, and does video calling good enough to have American Beauty's Sam Mendes make a commercial about how cool the video calling is. And At&T is allowing early upgrades.
Basically, we're all dopamine addicts. And all this constant media is making it worse. On average, we consume 3x the information in a given day than someone in 1960 would have. I think I'm closer to 10x, but it's my job. We change windows 37 times every hour,...
- 6/7/2010
- by lostinmiami
- The Backlot
Brian Paddick has claimed that Come Dine With Me relies on selective editing and "smoke and mirrors". The former Lib Dem candidate for London Mayor took part in a political special of the Channel 4 programme, which will air as part of their Alternative Election Night on May 6. Paddick, who described spending four nights with former Tory MP Edwina Currie, Labour Party member Derek Hatton, and Rod Liddle as one of the most traumatic of his life, said the programme offered him a lesson in so-called 'reality television'. "Just as in this super-spun election campaign, it takes a lot of smoke and mirrors and selective editing to make the whole thing appear on screen looking genuine," he wrote in The Mail on Sunday. First to arrive at Hatton's (more)...
- 4/25/2010
- by By Sarah Rollo
- Digital Spy
Brian Paddick has described his Come Dine With Me appearance as one of the most traumatic experiences of his life. The Lib Dem card carrier, who ran as the party's candidate for London Mayor, took part in a political special of the Channel 4 programme with former Tory MP Edwina Currie, Labour Party member Derek Hatton and Rod Liddle, who has previously worked as a speechwriter and researcher for the Labour Party. Writing in The Mail on Sunday, the former Metropolitan police officer said Liddle's "crimson-faced, spittle-flecked abuse" was worse than anything he saw as a police officer. Currie, he said, was "smutty" and had a lavatorial sense of humour, while Hatton shouted and swore at his guests. Paddick said that (more)...
- 4/25/2010
- by By Sarah Rollo
- Digital Spy
Channel 4 has announced plans to screen a political-themed edition of Come Dine With Me. The four diners taking part in the one-off special are former Tory MP Edwina Currie, Liberal Democrat candidate Brian Paddick, Labour Party member Derek Hatton, and Rod Liddle, who has previously worked as a speechwriter and researcher for the Labour Party. The programme will air on Thursday, May 6 - the night of the General Election - as part of Channel 4's Alternative Election Night, which also features a You Have Been Watching election special fronted by Charlie Brooker, plus other themed programmes. The channel's head of news and current affairs Dorothy Byrne commented: (more)...
- 4/9/2010
- by By Dan French
- Digital Spy
This Much is True is a shocking, electrifying, insight into what really happened before and during the years following Jean Charles de Menezes's death. Weaving together new and personal testimonies from senior police officers including Andy Hayman (Metropolitan Police former head of counter terrorism), Brian Paddick, Jean's family, friends, and legal team (including Michael Mansfield QC), Ipcc whistleblower Lana Vandenberghe, the Justice for Jean campaign and eye-witnesses, it brings the tragedy to the stage and reveals much that has never been said publicly before.
- 11/21/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
This Much is True is a shocking, electrifying, insight into what really happened before and during the years following Jean Charles de Menezes's death. Weaving together new and personal testimonies from senior police officers including Andy Hayman (Metropolitan Police former head of counter terrorism), Brian Paddick, Jean's family, friends, and legal team (including Michael Mansfield QC), Ipcc whistleblower Lana Vandenberghe, the Justice for Jean campaign and eye-witnesses, it brings the tragedy to the stage and reveals much that has never been said publicly before.
- 10/27/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
This Much is True is a shocking, electrifying, insight into what really happened before and during the years following Jean Charles de Menezes's death. Weaving together new and personal testimonies from senior police officers including Andy Hayman (Metropolitan Police former head of counter terrorism), Brian Paddick, Jean's family, friends, and legal team (including Michael Mansfield QC), Ipcc whistleblower Lana Vandenberghe, the Justice for Jean campaign and eye-witnesses, it brings the tragedy to the stage and reveals much that has never been said publicly before.
- 10/19/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
Former I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! contestant Brian Paddick has wed his boyfriend in Norway. The retired police officer married partner Peter Belsvik at a private ceremony in Oslo over the weekend. The couple had been dating for two years after meeting while on holiday in Ibiza in 2006. Speaking about his plans last year, Paddick told the Daily Mail that he chose to wed in Norway rather than the UK because "same-sex (more)...
- 1/12/2009
- by By Lara Martin
- Digital Spy
Brian Paddick's elimination from I'm A Celebrity pulled in more than 8 million viewers last night (Monday). Now in its final few days, the jungle-based reality series averaged 8.07m (32.7%) for ITV1 between 8.30pm and 10pm, bumping the traditional second episode of Coronation Street. Corrie's 7.30pm episode logged the day's best numbers, averaging 9.64m (41.3%) for the channel. BBC One's EastEnders was second, with 9.37m (37.8%) at 8pm then 629k (3.6%) two hours later on BBC Three. Emmerdale had a strong 7.27m (32.9%) for third. Hollyoaks drew 1.91m (8.8%) for Channel 4 at 6.30pm and 743k (3.8%) for E4 at 7pm. On Five, Neighbours had 1.63m (9.7%) and Home & Away picked up 1.16m (5.8%). The penultimate episode of Spooks delivered 5.09m (20.5%) to BBC One in the 9pm hour, down 300k on last week. (more)...
- 12/2/2008
- by By Neil Wilkes
- Digital Spy
Former policeman Brian Paddick agreed to spend the night behind bars in order to win a cooked breakfast for the I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! camp. Brian was told that he would be given the ingredients for a full English if he remained caged overnight in a prison containing jungle critters. He took on the task, despite protestations from the other campmates, saying: "I am the sort of guy who loves the idea of doing something for the people so this is right up my street. I'm going to do it. I'd (more)...
- 12/2/2008
- by By Michael Thornton
- Digital Spy
Brian Paddick has become the sixth contestant to be voted off I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!. The former police officer received the least amount of support from the public and follows Robert Kilroy-Silk, Carly Zucker, Dani Behr, Timmy Mallett and Esther Rantzen off the show. Speaking after his eviction, Brian told Ant and Dec that he entered the jungle in order to do something "trivial" after his career in law enforcement and (more)...
- 12/1/2008
- by By Michael Thornton
- Digital Spy
Esther Rantzen became the fifth contestant to leave the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! jungle after losing the public vote on Sunday. Her eviction came close on the heels of Timmy Mallet's departure after he lost a surprise Bushtucker Trial to Brian Paddick. Rantzen, who received the fewest votes ahead of former Blue singer Simon Webbe, said her time in the jungle had been emotional. She said: "It made me feel very vulnerable (more)...
- 12/1/2008
- by By Sarah Rollo
- Digital Spy
Timmy Mallett has become the third person to leave the I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! jungle after losing a surprise Bushtucker Trial to Brian Paddick. The pair were charged with swallowing five cocktails made of jungle critters in the Last Chance Saloon task, with the winner not only staying but feeding the rest of the campmates. "This is the trial I didn't want," said Brian, while Timmy revealed that his vegetarianism may prove a problem. The first round was a Beetle Juice Cocktail, containing cockroaches, meal worms and darkling beetles. Both contestants finished at the same time, but Brian took the lead after putting down his glass and opening his mouth for inspection. Brian and Timmy then tackled a plate of leafcutter ants and Mopani worms. The crunchy insects kept them chewing for some time but the children's presenter finally (more)...
- 12/1/2008
- by By Michael Thornton
- Digital Spy
Timmy Mallett has become the third person to leave the I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! jungle after losing a surprise Bushtucker Trial to Brian Paddick. The pair were charged with swallowing five cocktails made of jungle critters in the Last Chance Saloon task, with the winner not only staying but feeding the rest of the campmates. "This is the trial I didn't want," said Brian, while Timmy revealed that his vegetarianism may prove a problem. The first round was a Beetle Juice Cocktail, containing cockroaches, meal worms and darkling beetles. Both contestants finished at the same time, but Brian took the lead after putting down his glass and opening his mouth for inspection. Brian and Timmy then tackled a plate of leafcutter ants and Mopani worms. The crunchy insects kept them chewing for some time but the children's presenter finally (more)...
- 12/1/2008
- by By Michael Thornton
- Digital Spy
Brian Paddick has confessed that he has been "constantly depressed" during his time in the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! jungle. The politician told Esther Rantzen that he feels left out because he is the only contestant in this year's show without a glamorous background. "I have little in common with everybody because you're all showbiz people and (more)...
- 11/30/2008
- by By Michael Thornton
- Digital Spy
George Takei and Brian Paddick have joined forces in the I'm A Celebrity... jungle for the Pluck And Roll Bushtucker Trial. The challenge required them to transfer six stars through a tubular maze to the 'end zone' simultaneously while standing in an ostrich pen. Meanwhile, they were forced to wear suits with molasses and seeds attached, which would attract the birds. The pair decided to work as a team and managed to push four stars into the end zone, despite the interest of the ostriches. Their haul won them eight dinners for the 11 remaining celebrities. (more)...
- 11/28/2008
- by By Michael Thornton
- Digital Spy
Last week we told you about the British reality series I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here!, a Survivor-esque competition with out actor George Takei, out Brit former police chief Brian Paddick, and out tennis legend Martina Navratilova fighting the elements (and each other) in the Australian outback.
After inexplicably causing a minor stir last week by applying ointment to the backside of Eastenders actor Joe Swash, George and his "magic hands" are back, this time working wonders with fellow gay Brian.
George Takei rubbing Brian Paddick the right way
The most surprising contestant has been Paddick. Who knew that the former MP and London mayoral candidate would be so eager to doff his inhibitions ... and clothes? After the break you can see some Nsfw bare bun pics of Brian, as well as a "cheeky" clip!
After inexplicably causing a minor stir last week by applying ointment to the backside of Eastenders actor Joe Swash, George and his "magic hands" are back, this time working wonders with fellow gay Brian.
George Takei rubbing Brian Paddick the right way
The most surprising contestant has been Paddick. Who knew that the former MP and London mayoral candidate would be so eager to doff his inhibitions ... and clothes? After the break you can see some Nsfw bare bun pics of Brian, as well as a "cheeky" clip!
- 11/25/2008
- by snicks
- The Backlot
Esther Rantzen has assigned the I'm A Celebrity... campmates government roles. The TV presenter said she would install Brian Paddick as Prime Minister, while Robert Kilroy-Silk would "of course" be leader of the opposition. "Nicola is minister for defence, she's got the bazookas. Martina is the chancellor of the exchequer, bean counting and making sure it's Ok. Credit crunch? No problem with Martina," (more)...
- 11/23/2008
- by By Michael Thornton
- Digital Spy
Brian Paddick has said that Joe Swash cheers up his fellow I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! contestants. The former police official told Swash that his antics keeps spirits high in the camp. "You keep spirits up here, Joe. We'd be lost without you," he told the former EastEnders actor. Paddick also revealed that recent tensions between campmates (more)...
- 11/21/2008
- by By Michael Thornton
- Digital Spy
Brian Paddick has said that Joe Swash cheers up the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! contestants. The former police official told Swash that his antics keeps spirits high in the camp. "You keep spirits up here Joe. We'd be lost without you," he told the former EastEnders actor. Paddick also revealed that recent tensions between campmates over (more)...
- 11/21/2008
- by By Michael Thornton
- Digital Spy
The contestants on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! have revealed who they think are the biggest "legends" on the show. Former EastEnders actor Joe Swash told Nicola McLean and Esther Rantzen that he counts Martina Navratilova, George Takei and Brian Paddick as heroes in their respective professions. "You've got Brian whose a legend in his own right in the field that he chose to work in, the police force, he reached the top," he said. "You've got Martina who's nine times (more)...
- 11/21/2008
- by By Michael Thornton
- Digital Spy
George Takei has flown Down Under to become the oldest contestant on the British edition of I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here. “I’m physically fit. I used to run marathons, now I work out every day,” he told the Daily Mirror.
Of the grueling challenges awaiting him in the Outback, he noted, “I’m Japanese and love sushi. I’ve even eaten live fish. It was delicious.”
His arrival got off to a shaky start when no one from the show was present to meet him at the airport. “I’ve been left wandering the airport for 30 minutes. They assured me there would be someone to meet me,” Takei said. A gaggle of reporters, on hand for the celebrity’s arrival, guided him to his destination.
His fellow contestants include local politician Robert Kilroy-Silk., ex Met deputy Brian Paddick, former tennis champ Martina Navratilova, Carly Zucker,...
Of the grueling challenges awaiting him in the Outback, he noted, “I’m Japanese and love sushi. I’ve even eaten live fish. It was delicious.”
His arrival got off to a shaky start when no one from the show was present to meet him at the airport. “I’ve been left wandering the airport for 30 minutes. They assured me there would be someone to meet me,” Takei said. A gaggle of reporters, on hand for the celebrity’s arrival, guided him to his destination.
His fellow contestants include local politician Robert Kilroy-Silk., ex Met deputy Brian Paddick, former tennis champ Martina Navratilova, Carly Zucker,...
- 11/15/2008
- by Robert Greenberger
- Comicmix.com
ITV has confirmed the lineup for this year's series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! Esther Rantzen, Robert Kilroy-Silk and former Blue singer Simon Webbe are among the ten contestants heading to the jungle for the eighth series of the reality show. Joining them will be Wag Carly Zucker; tennis icon Martina Navratilova; TV presenter Dani Behr; ex-EastEnder Joe Swash, former Deputy Assistant Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police Brian Paddick; glamour model Nicola McLean and Heroes and Star Trek actor George Takei. Speaking about her decision to take part in the programme, Rantzen said: "I have to face the worst, (more)...
- 11/12/2008
- by By Simon Reynolds
- Digital Spy
Wag Carly Zucker and ex-Met deputy commissioner Brian Paddick will be on this year's I'm A Celebrity..., say reports. According to The Sun, the duo will be joined by TV presenter Dani Behr and former tennis champion Martin Navratilova, while 1980s popstar David Van Day is on standby. Zucker, who dates Chelsea and England winger Joe Cole, is a personal (more)...
- 11/11/2008
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
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