Martina Navratilova and Robert Kilroy-Silk head to the celebrity jungle

by Jennifer Whitehead, Brand Republic 12-Nov-08, 09:00

LONDON - Martina Navratilova, the tennis champion, former Met Police deputy Brian Paddick and MEP and former television presenter Robert Kilroy-Silk are all to appear in the new series of 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here'.

The Iceland-sponsored series begins on ITV1 this Sunday, and will pitch the celebrities into the usual jungle setting in Queensland, Australia.

Joining them will be George Takei, the Star Trek actor and, at 71, the oldest contestant to date.

Bookmaker Paddypower has currently got Navratilova as the second favourite to win, trailing behind Joe Swash, who used to play the character of Mickey on EastEnders.

Carly Zucker, who is famous for being the girlfriend of Chelsea footballer Joe Cole, is currently third favourite to win the series.

'I'm A Celebrity…' has become a ratings hit for ITV with its combination of wannabes and has-beens lining up to undertake unpleasant 'Bushtucker Trials' -- tasks ranging from feats of derring do, such as swimming with crocodiles, to munching their way through a series of bugs and other unpleasant foodstuffs.

The producers are promising that this year the "boundaries will be pushed to the limit".

As well as the main evening programme on ITV1, fans can keep up with the jungle goings-on on ITV2, ITV.com and ITV Mobile. The show will once again be hosted by Ant and Dec.

The full line-up

Dani Behr: 37, television presenter
Robert Kilroy-Silk: 66, MEP and former television presenter
Nicola McLean: 25, glamour model
Martina Navratilova: 52, tennis champion
Brian Paddick: 50, ex-deputy assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan police and London mayoral candidate
Esther Rantzen: 68, television presenter and founder of Childline
Joe Swash: 26, actor
George Takei: 71, actor
Simon Webbe: 30, singer
Carly Zucker: 24, personal trainer, famous girlfriend