The gruelling Channel 4 show returns next week with the shamed former Health Secretary included in the lineup. And in the very first episode, ex-Special Forces have Matt, 44, facing off against former footballer Jermaine Pennant.With the rest of the celebrities watching on, the independent MP is punched directly in the face by Jermaine, 40.Both men then traded blows while the rain lashes down on them in Vietnam.It was part of a 60-second controlled aggression challenge where contestants had punch their opponent as often - and as hard - as they could. Speaking about the ordeal, the former Tory exclusively said: “I’ve had endless death threats over the vaccine, but I haven’t been punched since I was a teenager -it didn't hurt nearly as much as I expected, actually, being smacked in the face."Despite multiple strikes to the head, Hancock - who was referred to as Matt Handj*b on the show - was thankful he didn't have to hit a woman.He added: “He [Jermaine] is no softy."At the same time, I was relieved I wasn't paired with somebody even bigger, or with a woman and asked to hit her because that is something that I never want to do.”
