Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has criticised Suffolk MP Matt Hancock over his forthcoming appearance on ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!.

Speaking on his way to Cop27 in Egypt, Mr Sunak said he supported the chief whip’s decision to suspend Mr Hancock from the Conservatives, adding that he would not have time to watch the show.

Mr Hancock, who has represented West Suffolk since 2010, said he decided to enter the jungle to “go where the people are” rather than “sit in ivory towers in Westminster”.

The show's first episode was broadcast on Sunday evening, but Mr Hancock is not expected to appear until later this week as a late entry to the jungle.

Mr Sunak took the opposite view to Mr Hancock on Sunday, telling The Sun he was “very disappointed” in the former health secretary because “MPs should be working hard for their constituents”.

Mr Sunak added: “I think politics is a noble profession, at its best – it can and should be – but it’s incumbent on politicians to earn people’s respect and trust.

“They do that by working hard for their constituents, as the vast majority of MPs do – that is why I was very disappointed with Matt’s decision.”

When asked whether he would be watching the programme, Mr Sunak told the newspaper: “I genuinely won’t have the time is the honest answer.”

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who sits as an independent MP after having the whip removed by his party, also criticised Mr Hancock’s move.

Speaking at a cost-of-living protest on Saturday, Mr Corbyn said: “I think it’s complete nonsense that he goes on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.

“He’s a member of Parliament, he’s got a constituency, he should be representing them, not himself on some sort of personality parade."

The largest town council in Matt Hancock's consituency has since called for him to do the "honourable thing" resigning his seat in parliament.

Waveney MP Peter Aldous said: "There are 650 MPs and I'm only responsible for the conduct of one of them. However, I don't approve of this. There are many different ways and means of best representing your constituents. This is not a course I would pursue."