Thomas Skinner has revealed why he didn’t appear on this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – despite talks with ITV.

The Apprentice legend, 33, was the bookies’ favourite to appear in the jungle this series.

In September the former Celebrity Masterchef contestant was facing odds of 1/7 to enter the jungle.

However he failed to make the final cast, which eventually included the likes of winner Sam Thompson, JLS’ Marvin Humes, boxer Tony Bellew and ex-UKIP leader Nigel Farage.

In an interview with The Mirror, the father of three confirmed that talks with ITV did take place after all.

Thomas Skinner has revealed why he didn’t appear on this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – despite talks with ITV

Perhaps Tom could have helped this year’s ratings – which marked a steep drop from 2022 (file image)

Tom said: ‘I thought I was going on I’m A Celebrity this year. I was the bookies favourite by a long way to go in there this year but a deal couldn’t be done this year so…

‘I would 100 per cent accept if they asked me, I think I’d be quite good at it. I ain’t scared of nothing apart from heights yeah but I would quite like to overcome that fear.

‘I’m well good with people, I’d be a good little chef in there and lose a little bit of weight – plus it’s a free holiday to Australia!’

Tom first appeared on The Apprentice in 2019 and has since become known as an entrepreneur.

Perhaps Tom could have helped this year’s ratings – which marked a steep drop from 2022.

An average of 6.6 million viewers tuned in to watch Sam Thompson be crowned King of The Jungle, peaking at an overnight audience of 7.6 million.

Last year’s final peaked at 11.5 million viewers (10.1 million average) and saw Lioness Jill Scott claim the crown.

It was a difficult year for ITV bosses, due to early departures from Grace Dent and Jamie Lynn Spears.

Tom first appeared on The Apprentice in 2019 and has since become known as an entrepreneur

The Apprentice’s Thomas Skinner kissed wife Sinead as he celebrated the launch of his book Graft: How to Smash Life at a star-studded party in October

The show also saw a boycott over the signing of ex UKIP leader Nigel Farage – as well as outrage at his 1.5 million show fee.

However, former Made In Chelsea star Sam, 31, won over viewers with his bubbly and entertaining personality, with Tony Bellew claiming second place.

An ITV spokesman said at the time: ‘I’m A Celebrity is the biggest entertainment show on any channel this year having launched with 10.9 million.

‘The series is currently averaging a consolidated 9 million viewers and last night’s finale drew a peak overnight audience of 7.6 million (average 6.6 million).’

Thomas recently launched his book Graft: How to Smash Life at a star-studded party in October.

The entrepreneur looked in high spirits as he posed on the red carpet at Little Italy in Soho, planting a kiss on his wife Sinead.

Sinead, who recently welcomed the couple’s twin daughters, looked sensational in a glittering purple dress with a racy thigh high split.