BOXER Tommy Fury is in talks to join I’m A Celebrity after splitting from Molly-Mae Hague.
Producers believe the boxer, 25 — half-brother of heavyweight fighter Tyson — would prove a big hit in the jungle for this year’s series.
But he may need to shore up his defence — after an infestation of biting fire ants near where the ITV show is filmed.
Talks are taking place with former Love Islander Tommy, who broke up from Molly-Mae, 25, in the summer amid claims that he cheated on her.
Tommy has denied being unfaithful and could use I’m A Celebrity, which hits our screens again in November, to give his side of the story.
A show insider said: “Tommy is a great name as a potential campmate as he’s already known to the ITV audience and he’d be brilliant in the Bushtucker Trials.
“Bosses are talking with lots of celebrities and are determined to make this year’s line-up one of the best.”
An ITV source added: “They also know that the super-fit boxer is likely to be a prime candidate for the annual hunk-in-the-jungle shower scenes.”
Manchester-born Tommy appeared on Love Island in 2019 — a year after turning pro as a fighter.
His reality TV stint almost made him as famous as his former world heavyweight boxing champ brother Tyson, 36.
He paired up with Molly-Mae and the couple finished runners-up behind Amber Gill and Greg O’Shea.
Their relationship thrived after they left the villa and in January of last year they welcomed a daughter, Bambi.
Six months later Tommy proposed on a clifftop in Ibiza, surrounded by white roses.
However the fairytale ended last month, when Molly-Mae told her 7.9million Instagram followers she “was extremely upset” to announce they had split.
She posted in a bombshell message: “Never in a million years did I think I’d ever have to write this . . . after five years of being together I never imagined our story would end, especially not this way.”
She added: “I will forever be grateful for the most important thing to me now and always, my beautiful daughter.
“Without us there would be no her, she will always be my priority.”
Amid frenzied speculation, Tommy faced cheating accusations.
Danish clubber Milla Corfixen, 20, was reported to have acted inappropriately with him on a lads’ holiday.
Tommy left the Cheshire mansion he shared with Molly-Mae and has since posted on Instagram: “These last few weeks have been heartbreaking. The false allegations about me have been horrendous, thank you to everybody who has stood by me through this.”
If he signs up for I’m A Celebrity, ITV bosses will hope for more revelations around the campfire at night.
However, it might not just be the flames that heat up this year’s crop of jungle stars — as they face being attacked by fire ants.
The Australian town of Murwillumbah where the show is filmed is among several areas of New South Wales infested by the copper-brown biters.
Experts have warned locals “not to get too close” as the insects are aggressive and can swarm when disturbed.
Dubbed the “ultimate survivors” they are tough to exterminate, can travel both under and over the ground, and after heavy rainfall can even interlock their bodies to create rafts and float to safety.
If bitten, victims experience “a nasty burning and itching sensation, lasting up to an hour” and anyone receiving multiple stings will feel like “their body is on fire”.
In very rare cases, the stings have caused a severe allergic reaction and even death.
It could mean our jungle stars ditch bikinis and tight trunks and cover up to avoid any trips to casualty.
A source said: “Trust me, no one will want fire ants in their pants.”
A spokesman for ITV told The Sun last night: “Any names suggested for I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here are speculation.
