FORMER Blue star Simon Webbe is chasing a mega £100,000 payday to star in I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here.
The ex-boyband singer has already signed up to go into the Aussie jungle — but details about his fee are still being hammered out.
The 29-year-old knows show bosses are desperate to see him fill the pop hunk role — and is digging his heels in for the full six digits.
Ex-Blue bandmate Antony Costa, 27, bombed out of 2005’s I’m A Celebrity in sixth place. But Jason �J� Brown, 32 — formerly of pop group 5IVE — made it to third last year.
A pal of Manchester singer Simon said: �He is massively excited about the show as he’s been out of the spotlight for a while. Producers want him because he’s a good talker and not afraid to say what’s on his mind.�
The source added: �He’s also a former model so he’ll be a bit of eye candy for the ladies.�
All Rise singer Simon is the second star to sign up for the ITV1 hit in as many days. TV Biz revealed yesterday that ex-That’s Life host Esther Rantzen, 68, is also joining the show. It kicks off in the second week of November, hosted by Ant and Dec
Other names rumoured to be in the frame include former Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan, 53, and fashion-obsessed US Sex And The City author Candace Bushnell, 49.
Simon’s pal added: �He’s been working out extra hard so he’s fit enough for the show.
�Every year the producers seem to make it tougher so fitness is crucial if you want to go the distance.�
Since Blue’s split in 2005, Simon has launched a solo career, making the charts with several singles. He is currently working on his third solo studio album.
He has also toured, sometimes backed by singer girlfriend Layla Manoochechri, 22. She is best known for being in X Factor group Girlband — kicked off the show on Saturday. Although they’ve been dating for four years, Layla is said to be concerned at how her man will react surrounded by scantily clad female co-stars.
The pal said: �They’ve been together for a while so they can handle the separation — it’s only a month tops after all.
�But I’m sure she’ll be worried. ITV are bound to put some attractive girls in to tempts the lads.�
Meanwhile, bosses are planning some new bizarre twists for this year’s series to shake things up.
A show source said: �Every year the celebs think they know what to expect but we’ll make sure they are well out of their comfort zones. If you think the Sushi Train Of Pain was bad last time, wait until you see what we’ve got in store this year.�
The Sun
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