Will Stacey Solomon be the next Myleene Klass?

Will Stacey Solomon be the next Myleene Klass? I'm A Celebrity star shows off her bikini body as she prepares to enter the jungle

By SARAH BULL
Since Myleene Klass enjoyed an instant comeback when she wore a tiny white bikini in the shower of the Australian jungle, all the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! stars since have tried to follow in her footsteps.

The latest contender is former X Factor singer Stacey Solomon, who posed for an impromptu photoshoot on the beach in Queensland ahead of the show start on Sunday night.

Wearing a tiny black two-piece, Stacey strutted her stuff as she pulled her best poses for the photographers, before changing into a metallic khaki bikini for some further glamorous shots.

Battle of the bikini babes: Former X Factor contestant Stacey Solomon is leading the race to be the next Myleene Klass in this year's I'm A Celebrity...

Tanned and toned: Stacey says she has picked out her favourite bikinis for the show

And, asked if she is hoping to emulate Myleene's swimwear success in the jungle, Stacey replied in a live ITV webchat today: 'I've picked out all my favourite bikinis and I love them. But I don't know if I'll do it as well as Myleene!'

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• The Playboy bunny, the X Factor reject and the ex politician who thinks he's a Lothario... step forward this year's I'm A Celebrity contestants

But Stacey, who got to the last three in last year's X Factor, is expected to do well on I'm A Celebrity..., and has already been given 3/1 odds to win this year's series of the jungle-based reality show.

Rupert Adams, spokesperson for William Hill bookmakers, said: 'Our theory is that because I'm A Celebrity starts straight after X Factor, people will tune in from X Factor and see Stacey who was an X Factor favourite, and she will have an immediate advantage.'

Reclining: Stacey attempts to lay casually on the beach in Queensland

Aiming high: Myleene Klass in THAT little white bikini when she appeared on the show in 2006

However, due to her slightly 'flaky' behaviour', Stacey is also currently 3/1 to walk, so the bookmakers warned viewers to bear that in mind when making bets.

And while many viewers who have tuned into I'm A Celebrity... on previous series to see the celebrity contestants take part in the terrifying Bushtucker Trials wonder why the stars would want to involve themselves in such a show.

But mother-of-one Stacey insists she has always wanted to be invited to take part in the programme.

Showing off her curves: Stacey switched for a metallic khaki bikini later in the day

Having a stroll: Stacey is getting ready for the start of the series on Sunday

Favourite: The 20-year-old star is already favourite to win the show

In the webchat today, she said: 'Everything about it appeals to me. I watched it for years and years and years. And finally I've got the opportunity to go on. How could I say no??

I'M A CELEBRITY ODDS, OUTRIGHT WINNER:

Stacey Solomon 2/1

Shaun Ryder 9/2

Nigel Havers 6/1

Linford Christie 10/1

Lembit Opik 10/1

Kayla Collins 16/1

Aggro Santos 16/1

Britt Ekland 16/1

Sheryl Gascoigne 20/1

Gillian McKeith 20/1

(williamhill.com)

'I'm very very very excited about going in the jungle. Oh my god!!!  I'd love to be Queen of the Jungle - I'll try really really hard to make it happen!'

However, Stacey admitted she is unsure how she will cope with certain aspects of the show given that she is afraid of spiders, as well as being scared of the dark.

She said: 'I'm most afraid of the night time... normally I've got the telly on. It's going to be a bit of a shocker sleeping in the pitch black with all those spider.'

And while Stacey said she will undoubtedly find it hard to be away from her three-year-old son Zachary, she is taking in a 'luxury item' to help her cope.

She said: 'My luxury item is a blanket with photos of all my family and Zac and stuff. I'm going to miss him loads but I'm going to be having such an amazing experience I won't have too much time to worry!!'

Other stars to take part in this year's I'm A Celebrity... include diet guru Gillian McKeith, Paul Gascoigne's ex-wife Sheryl, athlete Linford Christie and MP-turned-comedian Lembit Opik.

This Morning presenter Alison Hammond and comedian Dom Joly were also seen arriving in Sydney today, sparking rumours they will enter the jungle if someone chooses to leave, or as surprise extra contestants.