Dettori ready to try and rule in the I'm A Celebrity jungle

Frankie Dettori has been confirmed as a contestant on the new series of I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here!

Dettori has been linked with appearing on the hit show for many months and is among a dozen stars who will be appearing in the latest series, hosted by Ant and Dec.

Dettori has been competing at the top as a jockey for 36 years but could find the famous Bushtucker Trials even tougher to conquer than the July Cup. He admitted in a Racing TV podcast a year ago to claustrophobia and a dislike of snakes.

The 52-year-old, who has ridden more than 3300 winners in Britain, announced this season would be his last in the saddle late last year. However, his global “farewell tour” this year was so successful that he has decided to continue his career in California.

Dettori has vowed that his brilliant winning ride on King Of Steel in the QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot last month would be his last on British shores. But he is a short price to return at some stage in 2024 – probably at Royal Ascot in June if not before.

The married Dad of five, who lives in Newmarket, appeared in Celebrity Big Brother ten years ago and was the fifth person to be evicted.

In the past, he has also been a team captain on A Question Of Sport and hosted the now defunct Top of the Pops.

Dettori will become the second jockey to take part in I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here! Willie Carson finished fifth in 2011.

Ryan Moore and Oisin Murphy have been among his biggest rivals in recent years. From Sunday week, the opposition is set to be headed by such as politician Nigel Farage and former champion boxer Tony Bellew.