Christie set for jungle stint

Sporting legend Linford Christie is the first star to be signed up to 'I'm A Celebrity. Get Me Out Of Here!'

The Olympic sprinter is reportedly being paid £80,000 (€90,000) to appear in the tenth series of the hit ITV1 jungle-based reality show.

Linford, 50, is said to be so "excited" about joining the celebrity camp he has been training for the gruelling Bushtucker Trials, and started eating "exotic" foods to help him prepare for the strange snacks he will devour in the show.

A source told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "Linford's very excited about the jungle. As an athlete, he's ultra competitive and is dying to win as many tasks as he can. As an athlete, Linford's used to bland food like skinless chicken and boiled rice.

"So he's been experimenting with a few more flavours to get him in the mood. Obviously he won't be trying testicles or things like that, so he'll still be in for a big shock."

The new series of 'I'm A Celebrity...' - which is fronted by presenting duo Ant and Dec - kicks off in just three weeks.

Spice Girls star Mel B and comedy duo The Chuckle Brothers have also been rumoured to be taking part in the show set in the Australian jungle.