He’s braved Bushtucker Trials and survived SAS interrogations, but one in six Brits see Matt Hancock as their ultimate TV adversary.

A new study by streaming service WatchTVAbroad.com reveals that when asked to pick their most satisfying game-show opponent, millions of UK viewers would opt for the former health secretary.

Hancock, who has recently juggled his political career with reality show roles in I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! and last month’s Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, is the choice of rival for 17% of Brits.

Whether it’s a quiz like Pointless or a physical contest like the soon-to-be-returning Gladiators, TV fans would be more happy to beat the MP for West Suffolk than their ex-partner (14%) or boss (12%).

Hancock, 45, was the second-most popular pick just behind a current partner or spouse (22%). At the bottom of the table – in a disappointing result for joke writers – only 5% of viewers said they would be most satisfied by defeating their mother-in-law.