Matt Hancock PUNCHED in the face by footie star in first episode of Celeb SAS: Who Dares Wins

MATT Hancock was dramatically PUNCHED in the face by a footie star on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.

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.”

Other stars competing on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins include Danielle LIoyd, Michelle Heaton, Gareth Thomas and James Argent.

Matt resigned as Health Secretary in 2021 after The Sun exposed shock CCTV footage which showed him breaking his own Covid rules in an adulterous clinch with former aide, now girlfriend, Gina Coladangelo.

He quit his Cabinet post in 2021 and is now an independent MP for West Suffolk after the Tories disowned him.

Last year he competed in I'm A Celebrity and reached the final of the ITV reality show.

Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins returns on Tuesday 26 September on Channel 4.