Singer Natalie Appleton is the early bookies' favourite

Comic Joe Pasquale, former E17 singer Brian Harvey and model Nancy Sorrell also have favourable odds.

Ex-Royal butler Paul Burrell is being tipped as the first famous face to leave the Australian jungle compound, according to bookmakers Ladbrokes.

The contestants face insects and snakes in a bid to raise money for charity.

Last year's series was won by former Atomic Kitten member Kerry McFadden, who recently split from her husband Brian, formerly of boy band Westlife.

Antonio Fargas is most famous for Huggy Bear from Starsky and Hutch

Others hoping to emulate McFadden's success this time round include nightclub owner Fran Cosgrove, arguably better known for his celebrity girlfriends.

Starsky and Hutch star Antonio Fargas and ex-Three Degrees singer Sheila Ferguson are also in the line-up.

Joining the jungle team as well is TV presenter and journalist Janet Street-Porter.

The popularity of I'm a Celebrity... has helped re-launch the careers of some of its contestants, including former winner Tony Blackburn and cricketer Phil Tufnell, who has moved into TV presenting.

Record deal

East 17 star Brian Harvey has made no secret of his reasons for taking part in the show, hoping to resurrect his singing career like ex-contestant Peter Andre.

I'M A CELEBRITY ODDS 3/1-Natalie Appleton 4/1-Joe Pasquale 6/1-Brian Harvey 8/1-Nancy Sorrell 8/1-Antonio Fargas 10/1-Janet Street Porter 10/1-Sophie Anderton 10/1-Fran Cosgrove 14/1-Sheila Ferguson 16/1-Paul Burrell Source: Ladbrokes

He said: "I decided to take part in the show because I can't get a record deal and after 17 million people a day have watched you, already, before it starts, the record companies are more interested."

Model Sophie Anderton, who has fought drink and drug addictions, hopes to change viewers' perceptions of her.

"Everyone seems to think I'm this flouncy, very 'plagued with problems' sort of girl, which I'm not at all. It's the total opposite.

"I don't have any problems in my life whatsoever any more. And I'm very, very tough," she added.

Antonio Fargas, who played Huggy Bear in the Starsky and Hutch series, admitted he has not seen the show before.

Sophie Anderton says she has put her drug addiction behind her

He said: "I haven't seen any of it. I have the tapes sitting here and I've told the producers that it's sort of not fair because all the British celebrities have seen the show and I'm the only one who hasn't seen it.

"But I said I didn't want to be put off by anything that happened, so I was going to wait until I decided to actually do the show before I watched it.

"Now I might not watch it at all and just go in and be fresh.

"At least then I'm not expecting anything and don't have any preconceived ideas."

The series begins on ITV1 on Sunday 21 November.