He doesn't need it though! He'd take it for the pretence and to feed his narrative but IMHO he's not the vulnerable, sensitive, needy, remorseful type that he wants people to believe he is. He's manipulative and playing us and sadly his gameplan appears to be working. (Obviously I'm not a fan but not because he's a Tory, per se, but because he's a lying, cheating, callous, dangerous individual!!!)
Even his mate, Lembit, said that he can take whatever is being thrown at him in there. The viewers' sympathy is misplaced!