Matt Hancock branded a 'c***' by SAS: Who Dares Wins star after being pushed into river

Moments into Tuesday's premiere, Hancock - who recently sparked controversy with the fee he's being paid for his reality TV stint - came face to face with Fox and colleague Mark 'Billy' Billingham for a taster of what was in store.

As the two experts stared Hancock down, the tension was eventually broken when Fox shoved the former health secretary into the water below them.

The gruelling treatment didn't stop there, however, as Fox delivered another savage blow to Hancock - although this time it was in the form of words.

With the task of walking from one podium to another scaled several metres in the air ahead of him, Fox approached Hancock to ensure he was harnessed up appropriately.

"Ah, Mr Hancock," Fox quipped as he approached the 44-year-old before he quipped: "With a silent 'Han'."

In a desperate attempt to put on a resilient front, Hancock harped back: "Number one, staff," referring to his armband.

"Alright, you moody c*w," Fox hit back as Billingham could be seen giggling at the interaction.

"You got a fear of heights?" Fox quizzed, which prompted Hancock to shrug and reply: "Not particularly, but nobody wants to fall, do they?"

WATCH HERE: Matt Hancock called a 'c***'

Hancock also faced off against fellow contestant and former footballer Jermaine Pennant as they were ordered to punch one another until Fox and co decided to stop them.

Hancock was punched in the face and pushed to the ground by Pennant as they fought in the pouring rain in front of their co-stars.

He also faced an intense grilling from Fox and fellow instructor Chris Oliver who interrogated Hancock over his handling of the pandemic.

The fiery discussion even led Oliver to tell Hancock after he tried to object to one of their points: "I'm talking, f*****g listen here, okay?"

Hancock remains in the contest and is hoping he has what it takes to make it all the way to the end.

Meanwhile, viewers at home took to the web in their droves to express their delight at seeing the dressing down issued to Hancock.

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Reacting to Fox's "c***" quip in particular, one fan tweeted: "Foxy you legend 'Ah Mr Hancock, with a silent Han' #SASWhoDaresWins."

And a second echoed: "Foxy telling Matt Hancock he was ‘Matt Hancock, with a silent Han’ is my favourite moment of television so far this year. #saswhodareswins."

"'Mr Hancock with the silent Han' Brilliant @jason_carl_fox #SASWhoDaresWins," a third weighed in.

While a fourth viewer typed: Hancock getting it from Foxy has made my week. Hancock with a silent Han #SASWhoDaresWins and calling him a moody c*w, even better." (sic)