Brian Harvey is 7/1 to win the ITV1 programme

Betty Nabb - who raised the former East 17 singer - died aged 70 as he flew to the show's base near Brisbane.

The 30-year-old said he had been given the option to leave the series, but had decided to stick with the programme.

"My nan was really excited about me coming to do the show," he said in a statement. The series begins on Sunday.

"I really think that both her and my grandad wouldn't have wanted me to miss out on this amazing opportunity and experience," he added.

Harvey said he was not looking for the "sympathy vote" by remaining on the series, which follows 10 celebrities in a jungle as they attempt to carry out various tasks, with one eventually being chosen as a winner by viewers.

An ITV spokesman said: "Brian has given a great deal of thought about whether or not he should take part in the programme. If he decides this was the wrong choice, he can obviously leave at any time."

The other contestants are comedian Joe Pasquale, models Sophie Anderton and Nancy Sorrell, singers Natalie Appleton and Sheila Ferguson, former royal butler Paul Burrell, actor Antonio Fargas, journalist Janet Street-Porter and club owner Fran Cosgrove.

Bookmaker Ladbrokes makes Pasquale and Appleton joint favourites to win at 4/1, with Harvey at 7/1.