Malcolm McLaren reveals why he quit: 'I'm A Celeb is a fake'

The 61-year-old, who pulled out just hours before he was due to go into the jungle, denied rumours he left because he was fightened of insects and spiders.

He also claimed Bushtucker Trials were actually harmless, and alleged producers had already decided on a winner.

He said: "It's a nonsense to say I quit over a spider."

"The reality is their jungle is a glorified film set. The whole show is a circus. I was shocked to hear I was never going to be in any danger."

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He told the Daily Star: "The medic, Dr Bob McCarron, told me: 'Things are so safe, I would send my own kids in to do the show.' There is nothing bad in there. They're hoodwinking the public.

"Viewers need to wake up to the fact that the celebrities are just a motley crew in ITV's horror movie and, basically, I'm no longer interested in the script. I understand its popularity and all about the pantomime torture camp. I had every intention to appear on the show.

"But when the trials are tricks to fool the public about a danger that isn't there, it proves this show is nothing more than a circus.

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He added: "I think they fix it and they know exactly who is going to win. It's all set up. They know who's gonna win and who's gonna lose.

"In my opinion, it's totally and utterly fixed. This is not a reality show, it's a fake one."

The series will continue with nine contestants instead of 10 and the spokeswoman said it was too early to say if another hopeful will be added.

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McLaren had never seen the ITV1 show, hosted by Ant and Dec, but he was aware that Sex Pistol John Lydon previously had taken part.

McLaren says he initially asked to be paid £500,000, but eventually agreed to a fee of £350,000.

He said: "It's the highest fee anyone has been offered."

"I gather from friends that I was the biggest name they had. They needed a genuine celebrity."

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Of the remaining contestants, he said: "Bless them, I assume they are 'once upon a time' celebrities looking to relaunch themselves."

A show insider hit back at the claims, telling the paper: "It is laughable that Malcolm appears to have such an intimate knowledge of the jungle, yet by his own admission he has never watched the show and he has never been in camp.

"The reality is there are plenty of dangers in the jungle and all the celebrities receive health and safety talks prior to their entrance because of the deadly animals which lurk.

"As for Malcolm's accusations about fixing, they are outrageous and completely untrue and an insult to the millions of viewers who enjoy the show every year."

An ITV spokesperson said: "Malcolm has flown 5,000 miles to take part in I'm a Celebrity.

"But, shortly before the celebrities were due to go into the jungle, he decided not to take part. He is now on his way home."

Bookies have made former Hollyoaks star Gemma Atkinson and former 5ive boyband member Jason J Brown favourites to win the series.

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here begins tonight on ITV1 at 9pm.