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Tory MP Johnny Mercer is on the run from both TV detectives and furious constituents over claims he skipped a session of Parliament's health committee to appear on Celebrity Hunted.

The Plymouth MP and ex-soldier is a member of the Health and Social Care Committee, who on Tuesday got their first opportunity to grill new Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

But Mercer was absent from the crucial evidence session, the final meeting before Parliament broke up for Summer.

His absence is understood to be down to his participation in the Channel 4's charity game show Celebrity Hunted, in which contestants have to evade capture from detectives as long as possible.

Mr Mercer's constituency office refused to comment.

It's believed his staff are unable to contact him because he is still being filmed for the programme.

Have you seen Johnny Mercer MP? If so, let us know where and when in the comments below, or contact us on Twitter or Facebook. His constituents miss him.

(Image: Internet Unknown)

Channel 4 declined to comment.

Labour Party Chairman Ian Lavery MP said: “With the NHS in crisis missing a chance to raise concerns about the state of the NHS and Social Care is really not on.

"We all enjoy a bit of Love Island but celebrity TV is not more important than the NHS crisis.”

And Charlotte Holloway, the Labour candidate for Plymouth Moor View said: "People here in Plymouth aren't impressed that our Conservative MP bunked off early to chase the limelight. To add fuel to the fire, he has missed an opportunity to grill the new Health Secretary on growing waiting lists and the primary health care crisis we are facing here in Plymouth.

"Being an MP is a serious job with responsibilities to turn up and tirelessly do the job. Mr Mercer was elected by people here to do a job and put Plymouth first in parliament.

"If anyone does find Mr Mercer, can they let him know his constituents aren't too happy?"

Celebrity Hunted is one of a number of specials commissioned for Channel 4's Stand Up To Cancer fundraiser.

In a statement issued on his behalf by Channel 4 after we published this story, Mr Mercer said: "Every year I use the immensely privileged position of being a Member of Parliament to raise money for charity.

"Last year I cycled around the Low Countries raising thousands of pounds for Help for Heroes.

"This year I am taking part in Hunted which is for Stand Up To Cancer. I am acutely aware of my parliamentary duties and have incorporated these into filming."

The statement originally added "...which people will see when the [sic] tune in," but this mention of the show was removed in an amended statement at Mr Mercer's request.