Shaun Ryder - UFO hunter

Shaun Ryder is going to hunt aliens for a new TV show.

The Happy Mondays singer has signed up to front History Channel series 'Shaun Ryder On UFOs' on which he will travel the world looking for extra-terrestrial activity.

Among the countries the former 'I'm A Celebrity. Get Me Out of Here!' star visits are Peru, Chile and Australia.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "He'll try to separate fact from fiction and meet odd characters, some of whom make him look sane. It will be revelatory but funny."

The 49-year-old musician - who was renowned for his hard-partying lifestyle in the 80s and 90s - has previously claimed he spotted a spacecraft in his hometown of Salford, Manchester, and that close encounter of the third kind sparked a life-long interest in aliens.

He said: "I've seen a couple of things which defy explanation. They were not craft from this planet.

"It was in the late 70s in Salford. Lots of other people - including police officers - saw it too. Darting craft that came close and then zoomed off.

"I'm not kidding you, I am convinced they were UFOs. A lot of people would say, 'Why would extraterrestrials from an advanced civilisation come to Salford?' Well, there's quite a lot you can learn about humanity in Salford.

"It was very strange and it has stayed with me. And no, I wasn't off my head."