Sad celebs will do anything

A staggering number of celebrities are willing to spend a fortnight in a coalmine for a bogus reality TV show.

10:40 27 January 2005

Whether it's eating bugs in the jungle or getting abused for being fat, celebrities have already shown us that they have no pride and would do anything to get on TV.

But the Sun newspaper decided to see exactly how far they would go for fame, offering them a chance to spend two weeks down a mine for a fake reality show.

And the sheer number of desperate wannabes who were willing to spend a fortnight in a pit in Nottinghamshire for 40,000 is staggering.

Disgraced politician Neil Hamilton was keen, as was Catchphrase host Roy Walker, while Neil's agent said former Brookie actor Danny McCall would be "fantastic" for the job.

Ex-boxer Nigel Benn was "very interested", while Hear'Say has-been Danny Foster, Darren Day and even Cheryl Baker were apparently considering it too.

Tap-dancing legend Lionel Blair's agent said he might be interested but only if the paycheck was almost doubled to 70,000.

No surprise that So Solid Crew's Romeo was up for it, nor that Jodie Marsh was keen to get down and dirty.

TV presenter Michaela Strachan is expecting a baby, which sadly puts her out of the running, but her agent offered former Really Wild Show presenter Steve Backshall instead.

The only people who emerged with their pride intact were those that rejected the offer outright - like any normal person.

And for this we applaud Ground Force's Tommy Walsh, comic Bob Mortimer (who has more sense than his comedy buddy Vic), Noel Edmonds, Rebecca Loos and Father Ted's Ardal O'Hanlon.